EPHS Soccer Duo Sign College Letters of Intent

February 7th, 2018 is the National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing day for college athletics. The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution. A prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).

Two East Providence High School student-athletes signed letters of intent Wednesday morning in a ceremony at the high school. Lindsey Amaral and Grace Abrams are members of the soccer team. Both were key players on the school's 2016 State Championship team.

"We are very proud of our student-athletes at EPHS. Today we are particularly proud to witness this letter of intent signing by Lindsey and Grace," said school Athletic Director, Gregg Amore. "The achievements of these two students are credits to them, their teachers, coaches and families," added Amore.

"I am proud of all that you have accomplished, Head Soccer Coach, Angelo Pizzi told his players and an assembled group of team mates and family. "You both followed my motto which is academics over athletics and have made all of us very proud," said Coach Pizzi.

"I visited several schools in New England," Lindsey Amaral said after the ceremony. "I really enjoyed the climate and campus at American International College. They had a lot to offer and I look forward to attending college there," said Amaral.

"I enjoyed the recruitment process," said Grace Abrams. "It was a long process but worth it. Treveeca Nazarene University was a school that fell right into place. I'm glad to have been accepted," she added.

After going 16-0 this year, the Townies lost a heartbreaker for the 2017 state title to Johnston High 2-1. The Townies were undefeated and looking to repeat as state champs. Both students are top scholar athletes at EPHS. Lindsey Amaral was a 4 year starter for the varsity soccer team. She was All-Division selection in 2015 as a sophomore and a 2016 MVP and All-Division selection. She was a defensive MVP in 2016 and 2017. She was also senior Captain in 2017. "Lindsey was a defensive stalwart for the team," added Coach Pizzi. "Her leadership on defense helped contribute to the lowest amount of goals scored against for the state in 2017," Pizzi added. Amaral has attained "High Honors" throughout her years in high school. She has attained an 87.7 GPA in an Honors/College Prep Course of Study.

Grace Abrams was also a top student athlete. Currently ranked #2 in the class of 2018, Abrams has been a four year starter for the team. She was a freshman MVP and offensive MVP as a junior and senior. She was Captain as a senior and the state's second leading scorer in 2016 and 2017. Abrams was 3rd team All-State as a junior and senior as well as All-Division and All-Tournament in 2016 as a junior. "Grace was the RI Interscholastic League East Region Student of the Month in 2017 and a Wendy's High School Heisman winner," said Coach Pizzi. "She also won a Foot Locker Scholar award applicant and 2nd team senior All-State." Abrams also was a team Captain for the Tidal Wave Premier Soccer team.

Academically, Abrams was a Rhode Island and National Honor Society member and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. She is a recipient of the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony award; the Harvard Book prize, the RI Scholar Athlete award and is an applicant for the National Association of Secondary School Principals Scholarship. "She received the school's Highest Honors with Distinction" from 2014-2018," added Pizzi.

"We are all proud that Lindsey Amaral and Grace Abrams will be taking their considerable soccer talents to American International College and Travecca Nazarene University respectively, to play NCAA Division II Women's Soccer. Both are honors students in the Honors College Prepatory Program at EPHS. Grace is ranked #2 in the Class of 2018. Townie Pride Never Sleeps," said Athletic Director Gregg Amore.