EAST PROVIDENCE — A William Rodrigues tally in the 55th minute proved the lone goal of the game as the East Providence High School boys' soccer team closed out its 2023 Division I regular season schedule with a 1-0 victory over visiting Barrington Wednesday evening, Oct. 25, at Townie Stadium.

Rodrigues capped off what was truly one of the few real scoring opportunities either team had in the contest, which was Senior Night for the host Townies.

One of those soon-to-be grads, Nathan Capelo, started the sequence with a nifty chip pass over the top of the Barrington backline to Sam Jackson, who got a step on the Eagles's defense down the right side. Jackson immediately sent a cross towards the back post where Rodrigues was situated alone, himself one-touching a shot into the open far side of the net.

Neither side threatened much the rest of the way. Barrington did cause a stir in the final minute, sending a troubling ball into the EP six-yard box in front of Townie keeper James McShane and leading to a corner. But nothing came of the kick and shortly thereafter the final whistle blew.

McShane, like Capelo, was one of five seniors recognized before Wednesday's game, East Providence's last at home, though not the last for the playoff-bound Townies. Dorian DaSilva, Alexis Fortes-Silva and Edilson Vieira make up the rest of the Townies' senior class.

The win snapped a three-game losing skid for East Providence. The Townies closed their regular season with a 6-7-1 record and 19 points in the league, jumping over Barrington and Central for the time being into eighth place on the D-I table. The visiting Eagles wound up 17 points (4-5-5), falling to 10th in the standings.

At 11-1-0 with 33 points, LaSalle led the league heading into the final week of the regular season. Hendricken was second at 10-1-2 with 32 points, ahead of third place North Kingstown, 9-2-2, 29 points.

Cumberland (8-4-1) and South Kingstown (8-3-1) tied for fourth with 25 points. Tolman was at 7-4-1 with 22 points in sixth place. Moses Brown was in seventh place at 6-5-2, 20 points. Central was in ninth at 6-7-0, 18 points.

Central Falls was the only other team leading into the last week of the regular season to have reached the 13-point minimum required to qualify for the playoffs, right on the number at 4-8-1. Teams receive three points for a win and one for a tie.

Preliminary round games in the Division I state championship tournament could take place as soon as the coming weekend. The quarterfinals are scheduled for November 1-3. The semifinals are set for November 8-9 with the title game slated for Sunday, Nov. 12, at Rhode Island College with a noontime kickoff.