Franklin Regional notebook: Former Panthers goalkeeper on comeback trail

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Aris Lamanna is on the comeback trail.

The former Franklin Regional standout soccer goalkeeper announced recently that she has been cleared for physical activity with no restrictions after she underwent shoulder surgery in November.

Six months of rehabilitation are in the past as she eyes a successful third season of college soccer.

A sophomore goalie at Coastal Carolina, she allowed 18 goals last season (1.13 per game) while playing every game for the Chanticleers. She had 48 saves (72.7%) and posted four shutouts in 16 games.

“The process has definitely been challenging, but I’ve learned a lot from it,” Lamanna said. “Going through surgery and rehab as a goalkeeper has tested me mentally just as much physically. There were a lot of days where progress felt slow, but I tried to stay consistent and focus on getting a little better every day.”

The 5-foot-11 Lamanna began noncontact strength training in April and underwent physical therapy before finally receiving medical clearance.

“There was a lot of watching from the sidelines, which is always tough when you just want to be out there helping the team,” she said. “But it really forced me to lock in, control what I could control, and appreciate the game from a different perspective.”

Big/56 honorees

Several Franklin Regional baseball and softball players were recognized by the Big 5/6 Conference website, which follows the accomplishments of teams in the top two classifications in the WPIAL.

Section 1-5A baseball first teamers include the Panthers’ Luke Williams (Sr., SS), Liam Bernadowski (So, OF), Tim Pirone (So., DH) and Anthony Mitchell (Jr. U), while the Section 2-5A softball second team includes junior infielder Ciana Copeland and sophomore Mia Martz of Franklin Regional.

Nicely honored

Penn State Behrend senior baseball player Thomas Nicely was named to the All-AMCC first team after helping to lead the Lions to an AMCC title and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

He hit .344 with 11 doubles, two home runs, and 40 RBIs.

Behrend finished 31-12.

Girls lax season ends

The Franklin Regional girls lacrosse team went 1-1 in the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.

The fifth-seeded Panthers started fast with a 17-4 victory over No. 12 Seton La Salle in the first round as Emerson Funari scored six goals, Isabella Ioannouu tallied five and Leah Wagner chipped in four.

The season came to a close, however, with a 15-4 loss to No. 4 South Fayette in the quarterfinals.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional