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Cruise Lamanna’s goal in 2OT lifts Franklin Regional past Chartiers Valley in WPIAL quarters

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Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 12:01 AM

Returning to the WPIAL boys soccer semifinals was far from easy, even though Franklin Regional got there on Cruise control.

Senior forward Cruise Lamanna made a sensational volley on a setup by junior Rory Bayne and scored a golden goal 1 minute, 38 seconds into the second overtime as the third-seeded Panthers rallied for a 2-1 Class 3A quarterfinal victory over No. 6 Chartiers Valley on Wednesday night.

Lamanna had both goals — the other coming on a penalty kick in the 74th minute of regulation — after the Colts took a 1-0 lead in the 63rd at Panther Stadium.

“We knew we had the upper hand,” Lamanna said. “We went down, but we kept persevering. So much credit goes to our defense. Last year, we were down to Thomas Jefferson in the quarters and came back. I felt good from warmups; I felt loose, like I was going to play well today.”

The thrilling win vaults the Panthers (17-3) into the semis for the third straight year. They will face No. 7 Mars or No. 2 Bethel Park on Monday or Tuesday at a time and site to be announced.

Franklin Regional was the WPIAL runner-up last season.

“Wow, playoff soccer, man” Panthers coach Nick White said. “We have more to do.”

With time winding down and a 1-0 deficit looking more insurmountable by the second, Lamanna hit a hard reset with an all-out rush toward the cage.

A bad clearing attempt by the Colts (11-5-1) bounced his way, and he energized his team and the home crowd with a well-earned equalizer.

In a flash, it was a new ballgame.

The goal came off one of the few miscues Chartiers Valley made all night.

“Cruise Lamanna took that game over,” White said. “He made a monster run to get that PK. He used his size to keep the defender off, then rifled it in. Not only does he draw the foul, but he buries it. That gives us life.”

On the winner, which White told Lamanna he’d remember for the rest of his life, Lamanna moved into open space and saw a play developing behind him.

Senior forward Fabrizzio Costa touched off to Bayne around the 22-yard line. Bayne sent a left-footed lob high into the air to a waiting Lamanna, who sent in the volley from near the PK spot where he’d scored from earlier.

“If a goal is going to end a great playoff game like this, it’s that one,” White said. “He took that volley out of the air and just rifled it. What a moment for Cruise.”

Senior forward Ryan Bogdon scored for the Colts as his wide shot deflected off a defender and scooted past Panthers senior keeper Emerson Bush — the 10th goal allowed by the Panthers all season. It was only the third time the Panthers have trailed 1-0, but this result was different. They lost by that score in section games against Belle Vernon (2 OTs) and Penn-Trafford.

“We knew Chartiers Valley would be a challenge,” White said. “You look at the section they are in, it had three teams in the quarterfinals. They had been to overtime several times, so they were comfortable.”

Junior goalkeeper Sean Walsh made 11 saves for the Colts, who were outshot 13-5.

“We believed we had the talent to compete for the championship but didn’t get the bounces or calls at the end of the day,” Chartiers Valley coach Bill Douglass said. “Franklin Regional was a quality appointment but our players adjusted to halftime adjustments to really possess the ball the second half and throughout overtime.”

Chartiers Valley saw an eight-game unbeaten streak end. It also lost in the quarterfinals last year to Mars, 1-0.

Barring a PIAA playoff game at Panther Stadium, Franklin Regional finished 10-1 at home.

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

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