EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School girls' soccer team impressed in its season opener Wednesday night, Sept. 4, against West Warwick and also made a winner out of Mateo Andrade in his maiden voyages as the program's head coach.

Though the final score didn't necessarily show it, the Townies were dominant from first kick to last in their 2-0 win over the visiting Wizards in the Division II regular season opener for both sides.

Alyssa Karalekas potted both of the East Providence goals, one each late in both halves. Amalia Amico had the assist on Karelakas' tally, a turn-around rip from just inside the 18-yard box. Karalekas added her second in the 75th minute, tapping in the rebound off a deflected shot by Eva Fontaine.

All the while, the Townies, believe it or not, held about 90 percent of the possession during the 80 minutes of play. Even that might be an underestimate. The Wizards, to their credit, defended well, but could barely put two meaningful passes together all evening. And when they did, the EPHS senior-freshman central defensive duo of Katherine Almeida and Liz Pacheco had little difficulty in playing the ball back into West Warwick's half.

The only shot on frame credited to the Wizards was a free kick that was easily handled by East Providence's senior keeper Kloey Iacavone.

The Townies could or should have had at least a couple more goals. A shot by senior winger Eva Soares hit the upper 90 corner joint between post and crossbar early in the second half. Amico has a shot also headed for the upper 90 punched over the bar at the last second by West Warwick goalie Jade Truss, whose efforts throughout the night also prevented a few other potential EP tallies.

In addition to veterans like Karalekas, Soares and Almeida, the youngsters expected to give the Townies a jolt this fall, like Pacheco, also played well.  Fellow freshman Samantha Rodrigues joined sophomores Amico and Katherine Amado in thoroughly controlling the midfield during the game.

"I thought we looked OK," said Andrade, a former Townie player who also previously was an assistant for the EPHS boys' program. "We still have work to do. We need to be cleaner and more efficient in the attacking third. But I thought it was a great way to start the year and get the points."

As for collecting his first-ever win as a high school head coach, Andrade added, "It felt great to be back on the sidelines coaching EPHS again. Obviously this time in a different capacity as a head coach, but it's always great to be back on the East Providence sideline."

The Townies take to the road for their next encounter Friday night, Sept. 6, in North Providence for 6:30 p.m. kick.