Franklin Regional boys soccer coach to step down at end of playoffs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, October 30, 2023 | 9:35 PM

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Franklin Regional boys soccer coach Lukas Petersen is stepping down after this season, which isn’t over yet.

Petersen, whose wife, Leslie Carrese, is taking a new job in Baltimore, told the team before the playoffs began that he was leaving but revealed it in an interview Monday night.

The Panthers (12-8) have at least one more game: Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 3A third-place game with a spot in the PIAA playoffs on the line.

Petersen, in his second season as coach, watched Monday night’s 2-0 semifinal loss to Hampton on a cell phone screen from inside his car in the parking lot at North Allegheny.

He was suspended one game for receiving two yellow cards in the previous playoff upset against Moon.

“I told them the day before our first playoff game,” Petersen said Monday night. “It’s been a pleasure and honor to coach them.”

A PIAA playoff run would be a nice swan song for Petersen, a Vermont native who played professional soccer in Europe.

“It feels good for us to still be alive,” he said. “I really wanted to be in the WPIAL championship. We had a shot.

“When I played (in high school and beyond), I was always close but never won. Every coach wants to leave a legacy. I know it’s only been two years, but I hope what I did here is long-lasting.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional