Franklin Regional beats Penn-Trafford in OT in defensive struggle

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | 10:42 PM

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When two defensive-minded girls soccer teams get together, you don’t expect to see much offense. Maybe none at all. At least not in the run of play.

Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford didn’t take many chances, or shots, as they battled deep into the second half and into overtime Wednesday night, playing close to the vest while one waited for the other to blink.

Finally, someone did.

A perfect left-footed strike from junior Eden Williams gave the fourth-ranked Panthers a 1-0 victory in their Section 3-3A opener at Panther Stadium in Murrysville.

“It’s a mystery when we play them, so you never know how it’s going to turn out,” said Williams, who delivered a golden goal on a sinking direct kick from 30 yards at 6 minutes, 36 seconds of overtime. “I am better on corner balls to the lower right side. P-T was still setting up their wall, so I just stepped up and hit it.

“I knew it had a good chance.”

Two of Williams’ three career goals have come on set pieces. She plays midfield for her club team, but she is a center back for the Panthers (2-0 1-0).

Williams told her coach, Scott Arnold, that she wanted to take free kicks before overtime.

Her shot squeezed through a tight window as Warriors junior keeper Rease Solomon made a diving attempt to her left to save it.

“The execution of Eden’s shot was just beautiful,” Arnold said. “We had replaced her (on free kicks), but she wanted to take them again. It worked out for us. She struck it sweetly.”

Penn-Trafford (2-1, 1-1), which scored an impressive, 1-0 win over Mt. Pleasant to start the season, had a free kick from the same distance early in overtime, but junior Alexis Brown’s shot flew high.

“(Franklin Regional) had a winnable moment,” Penn-Trafford coach Jimmy Mastroianni said. “In winnable moments you either finish, or you go home. I figured this would be a back and forth. Rease made a great play on that ball. I am encouraged with our play. Every game we’re getting better.”

Arnold expected a tight game but thought his team could muster more scoring.

“These girls all know each other,” he said. “We play better when the game isn’t as intense. When it gets intense, we don’t connect on our passes as well.”

Franklin Regional senior goalkeeper Aris Lamanna made four saves.

Solomon, who had three saves, made a sliding stop on a dangerous ball with 13 minutes to play in regulation.

Senior Shaeley Reichbaum also had a free-kick opportunity with 24 minutes left in regulation, but her attempt also missed over the top.

Franklin Regional freshman Grace Copeland was injured with 13 minutes left in regulation and was taken off the field on a stretcher.

The crowd, subdued for about 15 minutes, eventually applauded as she was helped up and wheeled away to an ambulance.

The seriousness of her injury was unknown after the game.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford