Franklin Regional goalkeeper Aris Lamanna named TribLive Westmoreland girls soccer player of the year
By:
Saturday, November 25, 2023 | 5:00 PM
Player of the Year
Aris Lamanna
Sr., Goalkeeper, Franklin Regional
Not many goalkeepers in the WPIAL have stood guard like Aris Lamanna has over her prodigious four-year career at Franklin Regional.
Consider: She posted a shutout in 50% of her starts — 31 clean sheets in 62 games — and carried a minimal 0.68 goals-against average and a 91% save percentage.
The 5-foot-11 netminder helped the Panthers maintain their reputation as one of the top defensive teams in WPIAL Class 3A, often making saves in spectacular fashion.
Lamanna’s dominance earned her TribLive Westmoreland Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors.
Latrobe junior Robin Reilly also received strong consideration.
A three-time All-WPIAL player and an all-state selection, Lamanna had nine shutouts and made 119 saves this season, allowing 13 goals in 18 games.
Perhaps the most impressive stat is this: In her career, she gave up only two goals on shots taken from outside the penalty box.
“She shows the value of what a complete goalkeeper can do for a team,” Franklin Regional coach Scott Arnold said. “There isn’t a better shot stopper than Aris.
“I always smile when rewatching game video and seeing the reactions of shooters after one of her acrobatic saves. They are just incredulous that they didn’t score. You can see the shock in their body language as they look to the sky, palms up, after she saves their shot that was headed towards a corner of the goal.”
Lamanna followed a strict training regimen that helped her sharpen her skills throughout the year.
She was hoping the Panthers could marry the strict defensive play with a more productive offense.
“From a team standpoint, my goal was always to get further into the playoffs,” Lamanna said.
“Our defense accomplished the team goal, but the goal came short on the offensive side.”
A field leader the team trusted to make passes out of the back and direct the defenders, Lamanna is a Coastal Carolina recruit.
“I believe the hard work and training that I put in during the months leading up to high school fully prepared me for my senior season,” she said.
“This grind allowed me to excel on the field and exceed my expectations.”
One of the top players in program history, Lamanna wants to be remembered for her work ethic and talent.
“I think the FR fans will remember me as a hardworking but humble player that did everything possible to support the team,” she said.
Arnold classified Lamanna as “press-resistant, modern goalkeeper,” meaning she is part of the build-up out of the back as a distributing passer.
“She can pass with both feet,” Arnold said. “She can bowl the ball, throw the ball, ping the ball, drop-kick the ball and punt the ball, accurately.
“She has a good sense to determine what was working well and what wasn’t during the game in real time.”
First team
Rylin Bugosh
Jr., F, Mt. Pleasant
All-WPIAL standout helped fuel a skilled attack for the Vikings, who finished 16-2. … Scored 22 goals and pushed her career total to 69 goals. … Added 12 assists.
Morgan Gesinski
So., F, Mt. Pleasant
Another all-WPIAL performer, Gesinski led Mt. Pleasant with 28 goals and had 22 assists while helping the team earn the No. 3 seed in the WPIAL playoffs. … Has 61 career goals.
Riley Gesinski
Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant
All-WPIAL performer and key facilitator in a high-powered offense, Gesinski led the team with 23 assists. … She had 43 assists in her career.
Riley Kerr
Jr., F, Greensburg Central Catholic
An all-WPIAL selection, Kerr produced 40 goals and 18 assists for GCC, which sustained a rare, first-round loss in the playoffs. … Has 102 career goals.
Abby Paterline
Jr., MF, Franklin Regional
A team leader and all-WPIAL selection, Paterline led the Panthers in goals (11) and assists (6). … Scored three game-winning goals. … Played defense and offense for a playoff team.
Maggie Piper
Sr., MF, Mt. Pleasant
Took on increased role and became another offensive threat for the Vikings, producing 23 goals. … One of five All-WPIAL players from Mt. Pleasant.
Regan Reilly
Sr., F, Latrobe
A Bowling Green signee and one of the few seniors on super-skilled team, she produced 15 goals and eight assists for Latrobe. … Was an all-WPIAL selection for the Wildcats.
Robin Reilly
Jr., MF, Latrobe
Dynamic playmaker led Wildcats in points with 14 goals and 13 assists. … Named to all-WPIAL list. … She is a West Virginia commit.
Aubrey Seder
Jr., MF, Southmoreland
An all-WPIAL pick and Slippery Rock commit, Seder scored a team-best 20 goals. … Helped Scotties return to WPIAL playoffs.
Ava Yurko
Jr., D, Latrobe
A key backline player for the Wildcats who helped start offensive chances. … Selected to all-state list. … Committed to play at Youngstown State.
Second team
Annalyse Bauer, So., F, Latrobe
Jillian Botti, Jr., D, Greensburg Central Catholic
Ava Lorenzi, Sr., D, Latrobe
Emilie Oslosky, So., MF, Penn-Trafford
Jiana Patterson, So., F, Greensburg Central Catholic
Maddy Petruzzi, Jr., MF, Latrobe
Kataira Rhodes, Sr., MF, Belle Vernon
Laurel Rummel, So., GK, Mt. Pleasant
Sam Saylor, Sr., MF, Monessen
Emmerson Shine, Fr., F, Latrobe
Rease Solomon, Jr., GK, Penn-Trafford
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland
More High School Soccer Girls
• Freeport girls soccer earning respect early in season• High school roundup for Sept. 4, 2024: Moon holds off Bethel Park rally
• Freshman lights fuse for Penn-Trafford girls in win over Latrobe
• What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Sept. 4, 2024: North Allegheny, North Hills meet in girls soccer
• Jeannette girls soccer players determined to keep season going despite low numbers