Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: Franklin Regional in the hunt

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Four straight section wins and a five-game unbeaten streak overall have Franklin Regional in the hunt for the Section 3-3A title.

The Panthers (8-2-1, 7-1) trail first-place Latrobe (9-3, 8-1) by a half-game.

The teams are set to meet Tuesday at Latrobe, likely to decide the section crown. The Wildcats won the first matchup, 2-1, on two impressive goals from Roman Agostoni.

In eight section games, the Panthers have only allowed four goals — eight overall.

They were down two key players — Danny Christafano and Fabrizzio Costa — but still tied Class 4A No. 2 Plum, 1-1.

While they have one of the fastest teams in 3A, their defense has played well in big games.

“I can’t say enough about our central midfield and back line, the way they have been playing,” first-year coach Nick White said. “We have guys who attack, and they’re strong and fast. Hopefully, we can grind teams down playing that way.”

Franklin Regional shut out two solid offensive teams consecutively in Belle Vernon, 5-0, and Allderdice, 2-0.

It followed with a defensive-minded, 3-1 win over Penn-Trafford, only allowing a penalty kick late in the first half.

“Moments like we’ve had in some games have turned into momentum builders,” White said.

Agostoni breaks record

Latrobe senior forward Roman Agostoni earned a school record and bragging rights at the dinner table.

The standout last week broke the program record for career goals with his 53rd, one-upping the previous mark set by his brother, Nolan, who was at the senior night game to cheer on his brother.

“He said he did it in three years,” Roman said. “He heckled me a little bit.”

Roman scored five goals in a 12-1 win over Uniontown. His brother, Warren, also scored five in the victory.

Roman has 25 goals for the season and 55 for his career.

Latrobe is chasing its first section title.

“It’s an amazing feat,” Wildcats coach Jake Rice said of Agostoni, “I am very proud of him. He has really stepped up this year. “Now let’s get a section title.”

Kovatch ties mark

Belle Vernon star forward Trevor Kovatch tied the Leopards’ all-time mark for career goals with his score in a 5-1 win over Yough.

He and former standout Daniel Sassak, now a PIAA referee, each have 99 goals.

KA reunion

Greensburg Central Catholic coach Ryan Kanner had a small reunion with fellow Kiski Area graduates and friends who also are coaching boys soccer in the WPIAL.

GCC played at Freeport last week, falling 2-0 in nonsection play.

Freeport is coached by Brad Walker, who is a Kiski Area graduate like Kanner and Kiski Area coach Ben Fiore, who also was in attendance for the game.

“Always nice getting together with other young Kiski Area alumni rising through the WPIAL coaching ranks,” Kanner posted on X.

Thursday slate

Top games to watch Thursday include Norwin (8-4, 6-1) at Gateway (7-5, 4-3) in Section 1-4A, Latrobe (9-3, 8-1) at Penn-Trafford (6-4-1, 5-3-1) in Section 3-3A, and in Section 4-2A, Waynesburg (3-7-1, 3-6-1) at Southmoreland (8-5, 6-3), and Yough (3-6-2, 3-4-2) at Derry (4-8, 3-6).

There is just more than a week left in the regular season. The top four teams in each section make the WPIAL playoffs.

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