WPIAL Boys Class 3A Final: West Allegheny 2, Franklin Regional 1 (West Allegheny wins its 2nd district title)

WPIAL Boys Class 3A Final

FINAL: No. 9 West Allegheny 2, No. 3 Franklin Regional 1

PSN Coverage Team — Matt Popchock, reporting | Ed Thompson, Photography

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Match Updates

FINAL: WEST ALLEGHENY 2, FRANKLIN REGIONAL 1

80′: FULL TIME. Franklin Regional 1-2 West Allegheny.

There will be insanity in Imperial, as the Indians are champs for the first time since 2013! The upset is complete!

The Panthers follow them into states as the district’s No. 2 seed in Boys 3A.

77′: Costa goes for goal on the 30-yard free kick, and Wallace punches it right to Benson, but the Panthers substitute can’t put it on frame from the left side of the box. (FR 1-2 WA)

69′: Both teams miss from close range: Bayne goes wide left after getting behind his defender, and Bouch gets on the end of a long ball that he puts wide of an oncoming Bush. (FR 1-2 WA)

67′: The Indians remain relentless; Kent takes a low shot from atop the box that Bush has to dive to his right to keep out. The Panthers have the resulting corner kick well covered. (FR 1-2 WA)

64′: Once again, West A is “that” close to a potentially lethal blow. Murray makes a run on the left and delivers a perfect diagonal ball, but a wide-open Wolfe can’t handle it. Goal kick to the Panthers. (FR 1-2 WA)

50′: Bohley, off the West A bench, is shaken up, but no worse for the wear, after running afoul of Bayne. The resulting Franklin Regional indirect free kick from the left wing is calmly defended by the Indians’ back line. (FR 1-2 WA)

46′: Bridges earns a free kick for the Panthers 30 yards from goal. Costa puts it right on the noggin of the former, but his redirection is well wide of the left post. (FR 1-2 WA)

42′: Both keepers are called upon to stop at-’em balls to begin the half. To wit, Lamanna serves one into the box for Bayne, whose one-timer is snagged easily by Wallace. (FR 1-2 WA)

41′: Can the Indians avenge their dramatic 2018 and 2019 Final losses to Franklin Regional, or can the higher-seeded Panthers rally for a third title all-time? Second half underway on the South Shore! (FR 1-2 WA)

40′: Halftime at Highmark: Franklin Regional 1-2 West Allegheny. What a turn of events right before the recess!

The Panthers were in control and defending well, but the Indians didn’t panic and capitalized on consecutive breakdowns. (This just in: Johnson can flat out FLY.)

Moments after the second West A goal, Lamanna was shown yellow for a reckless challenge at midfield.

We’ll see if the Panthers can get off the mat when this Boys 3A Final match resumes in a few minutes…

38′: GOAL TO THE INDIANS! This time, Luffe pulls a Lloyd! His rainbow ball from 25 yards mesmerizes Bush, who watches Johnson smash it in at the right post. (FR 1-2 WA)

37′: GOAL TO THE INDIANS! Johnson and Murphy pull a Lloyd Christmas and totally redeem themselves! The former’s shot from the right elbow forces a rebound right to the latter. (FR 1-1 WA)

29′: The Indians have settled down since the start, but still have nothing to show for it. Johnson, on the right side, puts a perfect diagonal ball into the box for Murphy, who loses his footing before he can shoot. Moments later, Luffe returns. (FR 1-0 WA)

24′: YELLOW CARD. Luffe is put on notice for a retaliatory push on the right back, near the corner flag to Bush’s right. (FR 1-0 WA)

21′: GOAL TO THE PANTHERS! A gorgeous run by the big defender, Bridges, and he crosses into the middle of the box for a wide-open Costa. (FR 1-0 WA)

9′: Alexander sends one over his man, and just over the bar, for a West A goal kick. It could be one of those days if the Indians can’t get on the front foot soon… (FR 0-0 WA)

5′: Another high-danger chance for the Panthers, as Costa, inside the 18, dances around his defender–who slows up the senior forward just enough to force a weak shot, right to the feet of Wallace. (FR 0-0 WA)

3′: Oh my goodness, Lamanna has a yawning net, with Wallace down and out, but his chip shot goes right off the woodwork and is cleared by the Indians! (FR 0-0 WA)

1′: The Panthers get the first touch, attacking left to right, and we’re underway from the South Shore! (FR 0-0 WA)

FRANKLIN REGIONAL XI: Bush (GK), Mascara, Hillebrand, Costa, Todd, Lamanna, Bayne, Alexander, Keaton Sheetz, Walker, Bridges.

WEST ALLEGHENY XI: Wallace (GK), Johnson, Gnoth, Bohley, Murray, Bouch, Kent, Luffe, Mimna, Yonker, Wolfe.

Watch this space for updates!

Match Preview

Rosters: West Allegheny  | Franklin Regional

How they got to Highmark:

Both of these squads are battle-tested and proven they’re worthy of being in this championship match thanks to some heroics from some of the most talented players in Boys Class 3A, but also from simply strong team play where they’ve found ways to grind out victories when it matters most in late October in a classification that’s been up for grabs.

On Monday night, at Dormont Stadium, each teams found a second half goal in tight contests, then clamped down to secure return trips to Highmark Stadium.

Photo Gallery: Franklin Regional, West Allegheny ride a pair of 1-0 wins advance to WPIAL Class 3A boys final

On Tuesday, No. 3 seed Franklin Regional rode the momentum from being on the front foot for long stretches of the first 45 minutes against No. 2 seed Bethel Park.

The Panthers continued to bring pressure into the second half — and finally had the breakthrough — when Fabrizzio Costa came up with the game’s lone goal, as Michael Hillebrand was credited with the assist, after making a deep run down the left width, then cut back a pass into the middle of the box for Costa.

Costa took it from there to deliver the game-winner, which was enough to send Franklin Regional through to its second straight appearance in the WPIAL Class 3A Boys Final.

In shutting down the potent Bethel Park attack, Panthers’ keeper Emerson Bush earned yet another clean sheet while the Panthers were extremely organized — keeping Bethel Park limited to four shots in the match — and just one in the second half.

Bethel Park’s goalkeeper, Luke Rubican, was outstanding, making numerous saves while Franklin Regional’s pressure included many crosses and 19 total shots.

In the other semifinal, No. 8 West Allegheny battled No. 5 Thomas Jefferson in a match that had plenty of back-and-forth action in the first half.

The breakthrough moment for West A came when Harrison Murray got a step on the last defenders on a through ball, then completed the run with a clinical finish.

Franklin Regional won an exciting quarterfinal match after trailing early to Chartiers Valley.  In regulation, the Panthers found the equalizer when Cruise Lamanna converted a penalty kick.

Then in the second period of extra time, after some solid build-up play, Lamanna was on the receiving end of a well-placed, lofted ball over to the middle of the box from Joey Bayne.  From there, Lamanna drove a fabulous one-time volley to send the Panthers through.

Franklin Regional have players on the roster who experienced getting to the WPIAL Final last year. Now they’re sniffing for another deep run as a stingy squad, giving up nine goals all season. The Panthers have 11 shutouts. Holding things up well in the back for the Panthers is Emerson Bush, who one coach commented: “Has height and top end talent and very hard to score against”.

Sure enough, on Saturday, the Panthers shut down Montour, then found timely goals from Michael Hillebrand (early in the match), then Daniel Todd was in the right spot in the 64th minute, to knock in a rebound that secured the victory.

A snippet from our Coaches Corner, Montour’s Gavin Stabbe, on section rivals West Allegheny as his sleeper pick in this tournament.  “If they can put it all together, they’ve got one of the most talented rosters out there.”

Leading the way for West A are Harrison Murray, Aaron Bouch and Colton Yonker. One coach on Murray: “He has been the most dangerous and exciting player we’ve seen. A press-proof, very intelligent player.”

Back on Saturday, October 18, West A comfortably beat Latrobe, 5-0 as Anthony Mimna scored two goals while Yonker, Jonah Luffe and Milo Kent also added to the five-goal output, while Murray, Kent, Michael Johnson and Jensen Wolfe assisted on the goals.  Then, West A knocked out top seeded Hampton by staying aggressive.  Colton Yonker and Anthony Mimna scored early, then they held on for a 2-1 victory.

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).