Franklin Regional notebook: Soccer teams looking to bounce back

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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The Franklin Regional soccer teams were looking to rebound from section losses that bumped both from the Trib HSSN rankings.

The boys (11-2, 5-2) moved into the No. 5 spot in Class 3A for the second time this season but dropped a 1-0 decision to Penn-Trafford. The defeat ended a four-game winning streak.

They returned to form with impressive wins over Latrobe (4-1) and Class 4A No. 5 Plum (2-0).

Michael Hillebrand returned from an injury and scored two goals against Latrobe and had a goal and an assist in the Plum upset.

“We were able to finish our chances and defend really well,” Panthers coach Nick White said.

The girls (10-3, 7-2) had a similar happenstance, also reaching No. 5 in the Class 3A rankings before falling to Plum, 2-0.

It was an outlier in a recent surge that saw the Panthers win six of seven with five shutouts.

They bounced back from the loss with a 1-0 win over Kiski Area that featured Alyssa Velasquez’s 12th goal of the season. Goalie Addison Ayres closed the deal on her eighth shutout of the year.

FR in playoffs

The Franklin Regional boys golf team was set to open the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals against seven other teams Oct. 7 at The Links at Spring Church.

The Section 4 co-champion Panthers (11-1) joined Fox Chapel, Latrobe, Hampton, Indiana, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley and West Allegheny in the semis.

The top three finishers advanced to the finals Oct. 9 at Cedarbrook Golf Course.

Two in finals

A pair of Franklin Regional girls advanced to the final round of the 36-hole WPIAL Class 3A golf championship at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.

Senior Athena Neuschwander shot an 89 to finish tied for 12th in the first round at Seven Oaks Country Club.

Senior Gianna Johnson took 28th with a 99 in the opening 18 holes.

Paterline helps out

Slippery Rock freshman soccer midfielder Abby Paterline, a Franklin Regional grad, scored her second goal of the season in a 3-1 victory over Edinboro.

After she notched an assist in a 5-0 win against Cal (Pa.), Paterline had five points for the Rock.

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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