When is a loss actually a win? When all the matters in the end is the number next to your name, not the W or the L.

The East Providence High School golf team and its brethren around Rhode Island faces that situation every time they tee it up now that the Interscholastic League has changed its qualification standard for the state championships from one based on record to solely based on scoring averages for squads and individuals.

Last week, the Townies suffered their first loss in Eastern Division play when visiting Barrington narrowly edged East Providence over the par 35 front side of the Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford. The perennially-powerful Eagles tallied a team total of 157 to the 159 posted by the Townies. Rogers of Newport also competed last Wednesday afternoon, May 1, carding a total of 224.

EP's top three players in their order — Billy Fitzgerald, Nathan Carter and Zach Mendo — each shot 4-over scores of 39. At No. 4, Noah Araujo's 42 was the last counting score. Of note, Nathan Tavares shot a 49.

In past years, the loss, especially how close it was to the program with the most all-time state championships, would have stung East Providence a lot more. However, that the Townies carded a season-low to date 159 coming off a disappointing 181 tally in their home opener two days earlier against Mt. Hope eased any recriminations on the EPHS side.

In fact, EPHS head coach Bill McEnery was more than pleased. The 159 more closely resembles the 161 and 166 scores his squad posted in season-opening road matches two weeks ago at Montaup and Wanumetonomy Golf Clubs, respectively.

Last year, the 10th and final team to qualify for the state tournament averaged 167 as a group. Each team and individual will be allowed to discard at least one of their highest scores during the regular season before determining their qualifying total, so at the moment EPHS can get rid of the 181, which means the Townies' average heading into the new week was a robust 162.

"We almost pulled off the upset today. I'm very proud of the kids, how well they played," McEnery said after the Townies' effort against the Eagles, winners of 24 state championships. "And I think we're right back in the hunt for the state tournament."

East Providence's Eastern Division match record moved to 6-1. The Townies host their third and last home match at Agawam Hunt on Monday, May 6, against Middletown and Portsmouth. Tee time is 3 p.m.