Franklin Regional, West Allegheny expect goals won’t come easy in Class 3A soccer final

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 5:01 PM

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Franklin Regional and West Allegheny are a combined 29-0 this season when they score two or more goals.

No. 3 seed Franklin Regional (18-3) is 17-0, and No. 8 West Allegheny (13-6) is perfect on 12 occasions.

Both teams won 1-0 games in the semifinals, so scoring could be at a premium come noon Saturday when the teams meet in the WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer championship at Highmark Stadium.

Franklin Regional won back-to-back titles in 2018 and ’19, taking both finals against West Allegheny, which has one title, in 2013.

“West Allegheny is very different,” Franklin Regional coach Nick White said. “They are big and physical, fast and organized with a nice tactical style. They play with energy, and that radiates through the team. We have to try to get them off schedule. It is going to be a big-time challenge.”

The Indians will be the third team Franklin Regional has faced in the playoffs from Section 4. The others were Montour and Chartiers Valley, whom the Panthers defeated in the first two rounds at home.

“I’ve been saying how good that section is all year,” White said. “West Allegheny was third in that section, but they are not your average No. 8 seed.

“It will not surprise me if it’s a one-goal game. Won’t surprise me at all.”

West Allegheny can attest to the sharp teeth of its section, as well as its demanding nonsection schedule, which includes a 3-1 win over Class 3A power Fox Chapel.

“Competing in a difficult section as well as adding four nonsection games versus playoff teams (from 4A and 2A) have prepared us to make a deep run in the playoffs,” Indians coach Scott Zemba said.

Franklin Regional will send a number of offensive threats into the attacking third while leaning on its heartbeat — a sturdy back line.

“Our key challenges in facing Franklin Regional include them being a talented group of players who are also motivated to win a championship,” Zemba said. “They combine technical ability with physical play, and we will have to match that intensity from minute to minute until the final whistle. We expect a close game, one that will be fun to watch as a fan.”

White said the Panthers should be able to adjust to a team with which they are not altogether familiar.

“We can play a variety of styles,” White said. “It can be possession or direct with the personnel we have.”

White thinks Franklin Regional will have to grind to earn its 14th shutout.

“We have to play our game and make West Allegheny adjust to us,” Panthers junior defender Thomas Bridges said. “Not us adjust to them.”

West Allegheny plays a 3-5-2 formation, something it switched to after starting the season 1-4.

All-WPIAL players Aaron Bouch and Harrison Murray lead the Indians.

Bouch has 32 points on 11 goals and 10 assists, and Murray has 10 assists and five goals.

Anthony Mimna is second with 10 goals.

Franklin Regional’s top goal scorers are Aiden Alexander and Fabrizzio Costa with 14 goals apiece. Costa has 41 points, including 13 assists.

Cruise Lamanna has 11 goals and seven helpers.

Franklin Regional was the runner-up last year, a fact White thinks you can chuck into the Monongahela River.

“Because we were there last year, does that give us some advantage?” White said. “No. It’s a beautiful venue, and we’ll be playing in front of as much of the Pittsburgh soccer community as comes out, and friends and family. It’s going to be a fun environment.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, West Allegheny