By BRENDAN McGAIR

Sports writer

PROVIDENCE – The first-ever championship in program history came at the expense of their opponents’ bid to cop back-to-back crowns.
East Greenwich, owners of a top-flight offense (80 goals compiled during the regular season) and a stingy defense (just eight goals permitted), displayed the entire package Saturday afternoon in a 3-0 dethroning of defending Division II champion Lincoln at Rhode Island. The title ends a 30-year drought for the Avengers, who were led by MVP Michael Monti’s two goals.
For the Lions, the North’s fifth seed, the clock finally struck midnight on what was truly a remarkable – and in some corners, largely unexpected – playoff run, this after such a pedestrian season (7-7-2). Head coach Victor Alves’ crew knocked off three higher seeded clubs, eliminating fourth-seeded Pilgrim in the preliminary round, then upsetting two teams who Lincoln was unable to defeat in the regular season – No. 1 seed Shea (2-1 in the quarterfinals) and third-seeded Central (3-0 in the semis).
“I’m proud of the boys. They played hard all year, going through some things,” said Alves. “It’s a privilege to be (back playing for a shot at the title).
“This is a good group of boys, they were never gave up” continued Alves. “Today was a great display by East Greenwich.”
The Lions managed just two shots on Avengers goalie Oscar Goodwin, none coming in the second half. “Their goals against is low for a reason, and it shows. That means you’re doing something good as far as manning up on your players,” said Alves. “We had a hard time moving the ball from our midfielders to our forwards. When we’re chasing more than we have the ball at our feet, than the advantage is with the other team.”
East Greenwich, the top seed from the South, dominated right from the get-go, peppering Lincoln netminder Evan Walsh (nine saves) with shots from all angles in the opening half. The senior was the primary reason why the game was scoreless at halftime and why the Avengers were starting to feel the pinch that comes with living up to a 15-0-1 regular season.
“They had their heads down like they were losing,” said E.G. head coach Patrick McGuirl. “(Walsh) kept getting everything.”
East Greenwich altered its strategy in the second half, deciding to force the action down towards the corners instead of challenging Walsh head-on. Displaying great patience, the Avengers’ Benjamin Berger maneuvered around the Lions’ Jay Campbell before calmly flicking the ball to an awaiting Monti. The East Greenwich junior took care of the rest, roofing a shot past Walsh to snap a scoreless stalemate with 17:16 remaining.   
Playing loose and with the lead, the Avengers doubled their pleasure five minutes later. This time is was Robert Bialy setting up Monti with a feed traveling from Walsh’s left. Using his chest to knock the ball in, Monti scored from six yards away to give East Greenwich a comfortable two-goal cushion with 12:14 left.
“We wanted to keep it away from the keeper by going to the corner flags, than cutting it back,” explained McGuirl.
“They had pressure on us and we tried to do the best we could,” said Alves.
Scott Douglas sealed the victory when the senior captain scored on a breakaway with less than five minutes to play. After an extensive drought that lasted over 60 minutes, the Avengers compiled three goals in a 13-minute span. Douglas, who left the game shortly before intermission after locking his left knee with teammate Brian Doyle, returned just prior to the Avengers seizing command.
Alves spoke glowingly about Walsh and what he has met to the Lions’ success the past few seasons. Walsh along with fellow senior Jeremy Rhault and junior Emmanuel Asiedu represented Lincoln on the all-tournament team.
“The kids call Evan ‘The Beast.’ People have been amazing with a kid his size and the way he moves dating back to when he was a sophomore,” said Alves. “We wouldn’t be here without him.”
Then it came time for Alves to talk about Rhault’s worth to the cause. “Just a tremendous player, a honor to have on your side. We missed him last year after he underwent Tommy John surgery and we’ll miss him next year.”
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Lincoln    0-0 – 0
East Greenwich    0-3 – 3
First Half: No scoring.
Second Half: EG – Michael Monti (Benjamin Berger), 22:44; EG – Monti (Robert Bialy), 27:46; EG – Scott Douglas (Bialy), 35:10.
Shots on Goal: L 2; EG 12.
Goalie Saves: Evan Walsh (L) 9; Oscar Goodwin (EG) 2.