EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys' lacrosse team began the 2023 season in recent weeks hoping to improve upon just a one win campaign a year ago in the Division IV ranks.

Though the Townies went 1-10 in the lowest tier of the sport's four division set-up, the good news to come from this spring so far is that they've already matched that win total.

In its home opener last Thursday afternoon, April 6, East Providence picked off Classical by a 5-4 count. Matt Patrone had a hat-trick (three goals) for the Townies while Keigan Grant and Zach Kollett added one each. Grant's goal was the game-winning tally late in the contest. Goalie James Cassamas was credited with four saves.

Before and after the victory, East Providence suffered a pair of losses. The Townies fell by a 19-1 score in Newport against Rogers in their season starter 10 days ago. Earlier this week, the locals dropped an 11-3 decision to the Cranston East/North Providence co-op at Cranston Stadium. Patrone potted a pair in the setback with Grant added the other.

Other positives for the Townies in 2023 is the composition of its roster, which includes a host of returning players. EPHS lost just three starters to graduation last year, which provides a bit of consistency to second-year head coach Jon Monast and aide Zach Pangborn

Patrone is among the seniors back in the fold. The midfielder serves as a co-captain along with classmate and fellow middie Simon Polombo and a third senior Jake Aroujo.

Junior returning starter Ryan Travassos, a defenseman, is another of the captains as is starting keeper and Cassamas, a sophomore. Two more juniors, Noah Mensah and Lucas Saveory, join Travassos on defense.

Kollett, a sophomore, and Grant, a freshman, form the Townies' attack with junior Brandon Botelho.

The rest of the 2023 EPHS roster includes senior Gino Maini; junior Jacob Leite; sophomores Nolan Travassos, Tyler Rodgriues, Cristian Gonzales-Juarez, Jordan Estrela, Jason Brown, Braedon Conaty and Jake Rodrick; and freshmen Logan Gallagher and Devon Savage

Of the season as a whole, Monast said, "This season we're hoping to build on what we started last year. We had some success as well as plenty of hard lessons. We want to simplify the game for the newcomers as well as challenge the returning players in a competitive environment.

"Division IV has some very stiff competition, I am hoping that the Townies are able to rise to the occasion during the tough battles and dig deep. We're focusing on one thing each practice and game this season, heart. We have to want success."