Addison Ayres to stick with Franklin Regional soccer teammates for senior year

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Goalkeeper Addison Ayres considered playing full-time soccer with her Internationals SC team in Akron, Ohio, which would have meant not playing her senior season at Franklin Regional.

The Elite Clubs National League team plays higher-level programs, which helps players sharpen their skills for college. But Ayres ultimately opted to stay at Franklin Regional before she heads off to Allegheny College, where she has committed to play.

Goalkeepers have to make split-second decisions when the ball is streaking toward them. This was like facing a penalty kick and Ayres believes she guessed right.

“Honestly, this was a really hard decision for me,” Ayres said of potentially leaving her Franklin Regional teammates. “The Internationals have been awesome. I have improved so much in just one season with them. I could have played my senior season with Internationals in the fall, where we would play different colleges and universities around the area. I choose to stick with Franklin because not only do I want to enjoy my senior season and play with my friends, but I want to bring in a great sense of leadership to the team.”

Franklin Regional coach Scott Arnold is glad Ayres decided to stay.

“I am really happy for Addie,” he said. “I think she will do very well at Allegheny College and enjoy her playing career there. Addie’s a wonderful young person, and I truly enjoy coaching her. She’s such a hard worker and is always striving to improve both as a goalkeeper and as a team leader. I am expecting she will have another great season and continue our tradition of excellent goalkeeping at Franklin Regional.”

Ayres, Franklin Regional’s defensive MVP last year and an all-section pick, considered a Division I path at the next level, but a coaching change and other factors involving a connection to South Alabama did not blossom.

She also was talking to Grove City, Westminster and Penn State Behrend.

Ayres also looked into the United States Military Academy at West Point, but said she would not have played soccer there.

She also looked at Ferris State.

Division III Allegheny impressed her in multiple ways.

“As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt so welcomed,” she said. “The head coach (Lacey Phillips) has watched me play for over a year, so she knew what I could do. I was able to watch a recovery practice and goalkeeper training and I thought it was great. The goalkeeper coach was making (similar) references that my personal goalkeeper coach makes to me. That played a major role because I don’t want to change my technique a whole lot when I go to college; I just want to adapt to their playing style.

“I also loved Allegheny’s facilities. They felt ‘D-1,’ and the organization and set-up were so professional. Lastly, the incredible academics. I really like how diverse they are, which gives me the opportunity to explore different fields.”

Ayres made 107 saves, had a save percentage of 84.9% and recorded seven shutouts in 17 games last season.

She made 22 saves in the Panthers’ 3-2 overtime playoff loss to Montour.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional