Franklin Regional boys soccer hits stride at perfect time

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, October 29, 2023 | 9:31 PM

Franklin Regional found something, and at just the right time.

The proof is a pair of playoff upsets for the 11th-seeded Panthers (12-7), who knocked off No. 6 Mars (4-0) before a 2-1, double-overtime win over No. 3 Moon, a team many considered a title contender.

Now, a semifinal matchup with No. 2 Hampton (16-2-1) awaits the WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer bracket busters at 6 p.m. Monday at North Allegheny.

The Panthers are seeking their first appearance in the finals since 2020. They lost to Hampton in the 2021 semifinals.

So, what has changed for this team whose sharp edges are suddenly smooth?

Coach Lukas Petersen said it is a coaching approach, the setting aside of differences and clout-chasing, and a return to team soccer. A coach who is not afraid to point a finger at himself, Petersen is transparent and genuine when he talks about his team.

“I made some mistakes coaching,” Petersen said. “I addressed the team after the (second) Latrobe loss and after we got our butts kicked against Fox Chapel. I was extremely tough on them. We healed. It’s a credit to the boys. They found it, whatever it was.”

Petersen will not coach Monday’s game because he received two yellow cards in the quarterfinals. Two yellows equals a red and a one-game suspension.

Assistant Andy Saparito will fill in for the semifinal.

Petersen said the first yellow was because he said “No” loudly on a call. The second was on his assistant coach for something he said to the official.

Overall, there was a state of discontent with the officiating among coaches and fans. Petersen said he did not feel the need to apologize to his players.

Franklin Regional appealed the red card, questioning the application of a bench rule.

When Franklin Regional played Latrobe earlier in the season, a Latrobe assistant was red-carded and had to leave the field.

“You just want to see the right calls being made,” Petersen said. “You don’t want to cost these kids games because you want to make a point.”

Petersen said the Panthers simplified things with their style of play. They began the year with three back-line players but have since gone to four.

“I dropped my ego a bit,” Petersen said. “I was being too much of a soccer purist. It’s high school soccer. I was trying to coach the game too much like my idol (Pitt men’s coach) Jay Vidovich. I let them be high school players.”

Senior captain and defender Dom Kaforey noticed the team beginning to meld.

“We have all the talent in the world on this team,” he said. “It took everybody for us to get clicking. With the way we played against Mars, I knew we had a chance (against Moon).”

Some new names emerged in the Moon upset.

Tyler Pipon turned up out of nowhere for two goals against Moon, including the golden goal in extra time, while Noah Walker played well in goal as he subbed for veteran keeper Aryan Selokar (concussion).

Selokar is available to play Monday.

“Our boys found out what hard work means,” Petersen said. “It started to click against Mars, and it carried into Moon.

“Our shape has been uncompromising and every kid is doing his job.”

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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