Spotlight on Sports

EPHS Girls Soccer - Winners On and Off the Field
A highlight of the 2017 Fall sports scene in the city has been the EPHS girls soccer team. The Townies are running on all cylinders. The defending Division III State Champion Townies finished the regular season undefeated at 13-0 and the junior varsity is 4-1. "The girls are playing at a very high level both tactically and technically," said head coach Angelo Pizzi. "We are blessed with strong senior leadership. Moreover, our three captains (Grace Abrams, Lindsey Amaral, and Hailey Placido) are the driving force behind our success," Pizzi added.

The soccer team has been involved with charitable events in their off-field time. Last month's Reporter chronicled how the team supported a special program honoring veterans and 9/11 victims, including East Providence native, Carol Bouchard, who died in the 9/11 plane attack in New York. "Our on field success is only overshadowed by our altruistic endeavors. We collected canned good, non-perishables, and supermarket gift cards on two occasions to donate to our friends at the Good Neighbors food pantry in Riverside. We cheered loud and proud for our Unified Volleyball team. We are planning an Autism Awareness soccer game. We created our "take a seat" campaign when we see someone sitting alone in the cafeteria, we invite them to sit with us. We bought tee shirts in support of the East Providence High School's Hurricane Relief efforts. Finally, we are most proud that over 75% of our girls are on the EPHS Honor Roll," said a proud coach Pizzi.

As the undefeated Townies have secured playoff spot, they are aware that other good teams face them in tourney play. "There are undefeated teams with similar athletes and similar playing styles. Our girls have been working hard. Our goalies have only surrendered one goal. Our defense has limited teams to only 27 shots. Our midfield players have controlled the ball distribution. And our offense have scored over 65 goals thus far," said Pizzi.

The Townies recently played another undefeated team - Lincoln High School - and came away with an impressive 5-2 win. Grace Abrams again dominated offensively as she scored three goals and bringing her season total to 39 goals scored. "We are also supporting our captain, Grace Abrams' senior seminar physical project, through a game awareness and fundraiser for the social justice Clean Water Initiative," added Pizzi.

The Townies have shutout almost every opponent they've played this year, showing a dominating offense complimented by a tough and stingy defense. "We are pleased with our progress, but know that difficult contests lie ahead of us. We must stay committed to the fundamentals, our style of play, and a strong and positive belief on ourselves," the coach added. The team is 13-0 and in first place going into the playoffs at the end of October.

Martin Middle School Wins Cross Country Division Title 
The Martin Girls were able to clinch their 1st Cross Country division title late October at Colt State Park. The girls finished the season with a 7-2 record, losing only to Barrington at the first meet of the season and Middletown the last meet. "Throughout the season I saw improvements with all the girls from top to bottom, our top 5 girls would train running and staying in a pack throughout the season. This technique worked because the girls would push and support each other during our long runs on the road," said Head coach Michael Almeida. "We were able to win the meet by placing 5 girls in the top 13 out of 80 runners. Katherene Diaz Araujo was our first finisher placing 4th, Michelle Diaz Araujo placed 6th, Emma LeDuc finished 8th, Britney Carlson finished 10th, and Amari Johnson finished 13th. We should do well at the State meet at Bryant College, I would be thrilled with a top 5 team finish because we are 1 of 5 divisions throughout the state with plenty of talented teams," added Coach Almeida. The boys team finished 5th in the Divisionals. Some standout performers were, Andrew Worden, Trevor LeDuc, Billy Roche and Jayden Delgado.

Earlier last month the Martin Boys and Girls cross country teams competed in a tri-meet against Portsmouth and Tiverton middle schools. The Boys lost a close one to Tiverton and Portsmouth bringing their record to 2-4 on the season. Standout performers were Billy Roche, Trevor Leduc, Andrew Worden, and Jayden Delgado. While on the other side, the girls swept both teams improving their record to 5-1 at that time. The girls won in impressive fashion finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th overall in a group of over 80 girls competing. Standout finishers were Katherene Diaz Araujo, Michelle Diaz Araujo, Emma Leduc, Britney Carlson, and Amari Johnson.

EPHS Girls tennis is looking good also as they start playoff defense of their Division State Championship last year with a first round playoff victory over Rogers High school. At press time the Townies were scheduled to play at Barrington High and hope for a return to the state championships.

East Providence and LaSalle Lead the State in Championships
Call it the super bowl, Division 1 Championship, Class A Title, whatever you want but the fact remains that the Townies still lead the state in championship football banners. Both EPHS and LaSalle have won 15 state football championships. It is expected however that both the Townies and Rams will be surpassed shortly by Hendricken High School. Like LaSalle, Hendricken can accept student athletes from any city and town and it is hard to compete with that any more. While the Townies and Rams each have 15 football titles, Cranston East has 14 and Hendricken, winners of the last 7 super bowls has 13 now.

Team Records
EPHS Girls Volleyball Standings: 8-6-0
EPHS Boys Cross Country Standings: 3-8
EPHS Girls Cross Country: 6-7
EPHS Football: 2-4
EPHS Boys Soccer: 4-10
EPHS Girls Soccer: 13-0
EPHS Girls Tennis: 12-3
Bay View Cross Country: 11-3
Bay View Field Hockey: 6-9
Bay View Soccer: 1-14
Bay View Varsity Tennis: 5-11
Bay View Volleyball: 3-14

Martin & Riverside Boys Cross Country Results
Gaudet Middle School 16, Riverside 39
Tiverton 27, Martin 28
Portsmouth 25, Martin 30
BMS 15, Riverside 40
Kickemuit 24, Martin 31
Martin 15, Riverside 50
Kickemuit 15, Riverside 50
BMS 15, Martin 40
Portsmouth 18, Riverside 37
Martin 15, Thompson 40

Bay View, Martin & Riverside Girls Cross Country
Thompson 18, Bay View 47
Kickemuit 20, Bay View 47
Martin 20, Tiverton 35
Martin 25, Portsmouth 30
BMS 15, Riverside 40
Gaudet Middle School 22, Riverside 33
BMS 15, Bay View 40
Martin 19, Kickemuit 36
Kickemuit 24, Riverside 31
Martin 16, Riverside 39
Tiverton 23, Bay View 32
BMS 24, Martin 31
Portsmouth 21, Bay View 34
Portsmouth 21, Riverside 34
Riverside 24, Bay View 31
Martin 25, Thompson 30

Martin & Riverside Boys Soccer
Riverside 2, Thompson 1
Kickemuit 7, Riverside 0
Gaudet Middle School 2, Riverside 1
Portsmouth 2, Martin 2
Gaudet Middle School 2, Martin 1
Portsmouth 6, Riverside 2
Martin 4, Thompson 0
Martin 3, Kickemuit 1
Martin 5, Riverside 2
Thompson 3, Riverside 2
Kickemuit 5, Riverside 0
Martin 4, Portsmouth 2
Gaudet Middle School 6, Riverside 1
Martin 6, Thompson 1
Gaudet Middle School 5, Martin 3
Riverside 2, Portsmouth 1
Martin 6, Riverside 2
Kickemuit 5, Martin 3

Bay View, Martin, Riverside Girls Soccer  
Portsmouth 2, Martin 1
Portsmouth 1, Bay View 1
Kickemuit 5, Riverside 0
Gaudet Middle School 4, Riverside 0
Bay View 6, Riverside 0
Kickemuit 3, Bay View 1
Gaudet Middle School 3, Martin 0
Riverside 2, Portsmouth 2
Martin 2, Riverside 1
Martin 4, Thompson 1
Bay View 8, Riverside 0
Gaudet Middle School 2, Bay View 0
Martin 4, Thompson 0
Kickemuit 5, Martin 0
Bay View 11, Thompson 0
Bay View 1, Martin 0
Riverside 6, Thompson 2
Portsmouth 3, Martin 0
Kickemuit 9, Riverside 0
Bay View 3, Portsmouth 0
Gaudet Middle School 4, Riverside 0
Gaudet Middle School 4, Martin 2
Kickemuit 2, Bay View 0
Riverside 2, Portsmouth 1
Gaudet Middle School 1, Bay View 1
Riverside 2, Martin 1
Bay View 8, Thompson 0
Kickemuit 8, Martin 2

Thanks to Paul Tumidajski for his sports photography.