Townie Soccer
If you haven't seen an East Providence High School soccer game yet, or if you haven't visited the magnificent new Townie Stadium behind EPHS, this Saturday, October 4th would be a good time to see both! The weather prediction is great and the soccer revival is on at EP. EP boys vs La Salle at 12 noon.
Both teams are surging
Both boys and girls soccer is rolling along this year and the game of soccer is growing in popularity across the parks, playgrounds and schools in East Providence. While longtime the world's most popular sport, soccer has lagged behind football and baseball in the United States. However, soccer at one time, had East Providence sports enthusiasts excited with Townie state and New England titles and exciting matches. After waning a bit for some years, a growing popularity with youth soccer and the current Townie school programs, soccer may be challenging for king in Townie Nation.
A recent "Mayor's Cup" between Martin & Riverside middle schools was held at the high school before enthusiastic fans. The day featured a rivalry match for both boys and girls teams. "Even though my Martin kids lost to Riverside, players from both teams were excited about being Townies some day," said Martin boy's coach Mike Martins. "My kids were in tears, wanting to win that trophy. A great effort by all involved for these kids."
Martin Girls won the trophy while Riverside boys took home the Cup this year. Both teams played well in the doubleheader action at EPHS.
EPHS Townie Boys’ Soccer Review:
The glory days of East Providence boys’ soccer may be returning to East Providence High School with the current edition of soccer players. Head coach Tim Calouro is in his third year and has his Townies undefeated so far. As of this writing, the Townies have 7 wins, 2 ties and 0 losses. East Providence blanked Classical High 3-0 on September 26th in an away game. “We are pleased to announce that Kyle Desrosiers has been named our third captain. Congratulations to him on this achievement. He secured his fourth clean sheet of the season in our 3-0 win against Classical,” said head coach Calouro. Captain Julian Monteiro scored two goals, and Captain Tristen Nunes scored one goal. The Townies remain undefeated at 7-0-2. The signature win so far came with a 2-0 shutout win over defending state champion Bishop Hendricken on September 17th That was followed by a 2-1 win on September 23rd over always tough North Kingstown. The Townies also defeated PCD, Smithfield, Central Falls, Hendricken and North Kingstown so far. They ended up playing to a tie against Pawtucket and Moses Brown.
Coach Calouro hard at work:
Calouro has been rebuilding the soccer program. In 2023 the team was 8-8-1 and ranked fairly low. Last season the team struggled and finished 2-15-1 with a low ranking again. However, in a massive turnaround from a year ago the Townies are now undefeated with a markedly improved state and national ranking. “After tying 2nd ranked Moses Brown and then defeating 1st ranked and defending state champion Hendricken, we have opened some eyes,” said Calouro. “We also had a decisive 2-1 victory over perennial D1 powerhouse North Kingstown,” added the hard-working coach.
The Coach Comments – A Well-Balanced Team
Young Players
“This year we are well balanced. We have a starting freshman Kayson Tavares (3 goals so far) who is talented and can play at a high level and compete with players much older than him. Sophomores include Damien Monteiro who scored a gem of a goal vs. NK. Diego Martins starts at left back and is doing a phenomenal job. Amori Lopes at midfield and plays multiple spots on the pitch. Colby Jerzyk who has been a late addition to the roster and is recovering from a knee injury. We will need him down the stretch vs. top ranked opponents.”
Juniors
“Joel Fortes who is unknown to many as he was playing JV last year and has blossomed into one of our best defenders. Nigel Fernandes, is arguably one of the best left foot midfielders in the state. He has scored in multiple games and scored the go-ahead goal vs. Moses Brown. Currently has 3 goals on the season. Emerson Amado who is another late addition to the roster and quickly made his mark scoring against Bishop Hendricken. Emerson is shifty and can change directions quickly to keep defenders guessing. Babucarr Njai continues to impress with his athleticism and agility. He recently scored vs. North Kingstown. Gernard Lee who has tremendous potential. His work rate on the field has improved dramatically from last season and we are much because of it.”
Seniors
“At keeper we have Kyle Desrosiers a multi-sport athlete who averages 7.4 saves a game with only 5 goals against in 8 matches. 3 clean sheets. Raphael Ferreira is another dynamic lefty that can control the outside channel and keep possession. Alex Montille is a defender who is recovering from a knee injury a year ago and getting back to full strength. Very strong on the ball and wins 1v1 battles in the back line. Erick Jiminez is a lefty who can keep possession and works tremendously hard without the ball on his feet. Ryan Munene, aka pastor Ryan, who leads the team with a prayer before every match. Ryan’s development has impressed the coaching staff and earned him a starting spot at right back.
Captains
Finally, my captains Julian Monteiro and Tristen Nunes. These two have leadership skills beyond their years. They both have led the group and push everyone to be better. Tristen has yet to lose a 1 on 1 battle this season. Tristen is one of the best center backs in the state. Scoring a few goals this season and had an exquisite free kick vs. Pawtucket. He currently has 3 goals this season. We look forward to watching him play at the next level. Julian Monteiro has a work engine and commands the midfield. Dynamic and can take over a game. His communication skills and leadership has been instrumental in our recent success. He leads the team with 4 goals and 3 assists.”
A little Townie history
Coach Calouro is a former star player at EP and played at Rhode Island College. He has been instrumental in coaching youth soccer and getting that soccer pride back to EPHS. East Providence once was considered a soccer power in Rhode Island and indeed New England. School soccer came to prominence in Rhode Island in the early sixties and East Providence became a dominant force. The Townies won 5 state championships, including a three-peat from 1970-1973. The Townies won again in 1976 and a Division I-B title in 1993. Several Townie stars achieved all-state selection including Mario Andrade and Mario Perreira who both became major successful high school coaches. George Poli is the former coach who guided those early Townies.
Boys Soccer Roster:
Coach: Tim Calouro, Assistants: Asa Sohn, Zac Bento
Desrosiers, Kyle 12, Montille, Alex 12, Sydney, Jamison 10, Jiminez, Erick 12, Fortes, Joel 11, Ferreira, Raphael 12, Monteiro, Damien 10, Lopes, Amori 10, Tavares, Kason 9, Monteiro, Julien 12, Fernandes, Nigel 11, Munene, Ryan 12, Amado, Emerson 11, Andrade, Bryan 11, Furtado, Alexander 12, Pereira Silva, Davi 10, Njai, Babucarr 11, Arevalo, Jeremy 12, McAuliffe, Myles 10, Nunes, Tristen 12, Lee, Gernard 11, Martins, Diego 10, Jerzyk, Colby 10.
A Look Back at EP All-State Boys Soccer Players:
1970: First team Back - Tom Jenkins, Fwd - Jorge Palma, Second team Goal - John Silveira, Back - Jeff Skillings, Fwd - Lizuarte Lemos.
1971: First team Fwd - Tom Jenkins, Second team Back - Carlos Lacerda, Back - Jorge Palma, Fwd - Tom Driscoll.
1972: First Team Goal - Jeff Paster, Back - Rollie Jenkins, Forward - Mario Pereira, Forward - Dan Solomon. Second team Forward - Tim Driscoll.
1973: First Team Back - Jim Skillings, Back - Mario Andrade, Fwd - Mario Pereira. Second team Back - John Driscoll, Fwd - Cliff Moore.
1974: First Team FWD - Mario Pereira, FWD - Cliff Moore, MF - Mario Andrade. Second team FB - Ron Moniz, FB - Len Rochette.
1975: First team FB - Joe Couto.
1976 First Team FB - Bobby Good, Second team WD - Bruce Balkcom, MF - Pete Jenkins, FB - Matt Crowshaw
1977 First Team FWD - Fred Reinhardt
1978 First Team FWD - Vic DaCosta, MF - Fred Reinhardt. Second Team FB - Ted McCaughey.
1979 First Team G - Tim McCrystal Second Team FWD - Ed Avila
1982 Second Team G - Paul Rodrigues, MF - Rui Sousa
1983 First Team FWD - Rui Sousa
1990 Second Team, MF - Paulo Neves, FB - Peter Santos
1993 First Team D - Ronnie Brito Second team M - Mark Matos
1996 First Team D - Nelson Evora, M - Tim Cullen, Second Team M - John Andrade
1997 First Team, FB - John Andrade
2001 First team Pedro Braz, Second Team Zach Pereira
2002 First Team Midfield - Pedro Braz, Second Team Defense - Mike Medeiros
2003 First Team Danny Ortiz
2005 First Team Anthony Tavares
2007 First Team Eddy Dias
2014 First Team Alex Do Rego, Second Team Victor Reis
2015 Second Team Victor Reis
2020 First Team M - Colin Capelo
2021 Second Team Brett Schwab
2022 Second Team D - Dorian DaSilva
2023 Second Team Nathan Capelo
October Boys Soccer Schedule
10/2 6:00 PM @ Central HS Conley Stadium
10/4 12:00 PM Home La Salle
10/7 6:00 PM @ South Kingstown HS Curtis Corner Middle School
10/11 3:30 PM @ Bishop Hendricken HS
10/14 6:30 PM @ La Salle Academy
10/16 6:30 PM @ Cumberland HS
10/17 6:30 PM Home St. Raphael Academy
10/18 6:00 PM @ Cranston West
10/21 7:00 PM @ Barrington HS
10/23 6:30 PM Home Mt. Hope HS
EPHS Girls Soccer
The Townie girls soccer team is also doing well as they are rolling along at 6-1-1 to date. In a late September game, East Providence defeated Toll Gate 3- 0. The Townies had goals by Eva Fontaine and Victoria Capelo. Excellent goaltending Sadie Gagnonwith 5 saves. East Providence also has wins this season against West Warwick, PCD, Middletown, Toll Gate and North Smithfield. The one loss came in a very close 3-2 game against North Providence and EP and NP then played to a 2-2 tie.
Girls Soccer Roster:
Coach: Mateo Andrade, Assistant: Mia Jackson
Gagnon, SadieGK 11, Swanson, Vanessa 10, Canton, Ryleigh 10, Rodrigues, Samantha 10, Graca, Jillian 10, Amado, Katherine 11, Amico, Amalia 11, Capelo, Victoria 10, Roch Lussier, Opal10, Slaughter, Zophia 10, Lima, Sophia 11, Calouro-Vargas, Nadiyah 12, Loffredo, Gabriella 10, Raposo, Isabella 10, Pacheco, Elizabeth 10, Fontaine, Eva 10, DiMuccio, Arianna 10, Miqui Paiva, Talitha 11, Paulo, Jayla 9, Amado, Janelle 10, Gardiner, Ava 9.
Girls All State past as follows:
2004: First Team, Melissa Resendes. Second Team, Jillian Pereira
2005: Second Team, Jillian Pereira.
2008: First Team, Katie Lydon.
2009: First Team, Katie Lydon.
2016: Third Team, Grace Abrams, Sydney Vilardi.
2017: Second Team, Grace Abrams.
2019: Third Team, Alyssa DeOliveira.
2021: Third Team, Olivia Williams.
2024: Second Team Coaches, Amalia Amico, Kloey Iacavone.
Girls Schedule:
FRI 10/3 6:00 PM Home Scituate HS
TUE 10/7 6:30 PM Home Coventry HS
FRI 10/10 6:30 PM Home Narragansett HS
MON 10/13 4:00 PM @ Middletown HS @ Gaudet
WED 10/15 6:30 PM @ Prout School
TUE 10/21 6:30 PM Home Moses Brown School
FRI 10/24 6:30 PM @ Ponaganset Away
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