Penn-Trafford strikes for upset over No. 5 Franklin Regional

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 10:09 PM

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Penn-Trafford has taken on a sneaky personality competing in boys soccer Section 3-3A.

The Warriors play a physical style and rely on sound, exacting defense to create opportunities.

Despite their slightly above .500 record and a high number of unlucky bounces that have stunted them some offensively, they can creep on you.

Franklin Regional found that out Tuesday night when the Warriors bagged a 1-0 upset over the fifth-ranked Panthers in Murrysville.

Cooper Geyer’s goal early in the second half held up and a secure back line limited the Panthers’ chances as the Warriors (6-4, 3-3) posted their fourth shutout and snapped a two-game losing streak.

“Their record is not indicative of what they are,” Franklin Regional coach Nick White said of the Warriors. “They were up to play us. They earned it. This really felt like playoff soccer.

“We had chances, but nothing really dangerous where they had to make a really tough save.”

Franklin Regional (9-2, 4-2) had its winning streak stopped at four.

“We were confident the last time we played them,” Penn-Trafford coach Ryan Hankey said. “We had a horrendous first half, but the second half was much better. Tonight, we played much better.

“We have outplayed everybody; we just haven’t been able to get the ball in the net. We can be a dangerous team.”

After a scoreless opening half, Penn-Trafford connected 10 minutes into the second half, then relied on its defense to preserve the win.

Geyer found some space between two defenders and delivered a left-footed laser past Emerson Bush to put the Warriors in front.

Yuri Bidochko sent a ball down the far sideline to Geyer, who tapped the ball inside near Panthers standout defender Thomas Briges and scored near post for his fifth goal of the season.

“Our defense was outstanding today,” Geyer said. “It was perfect. I didn’t think it would take just one goal (to win), but our defense made it happen.”

The game started a half-hour late due to lightning, which wiped out the final six minutes of the junior varsity game.

Franklin Regional won the first matchup, 3-2.

“I am really happy with our guys’ effort,” White said. “We have had so many different injuries and have had guys step up. This was a different lineup from the first time we played them.”

Luca Aguilera returned after a week and a half out of the lineup, and Ian Johns also came back from injury for the Panthers.

Defender Jake McMurdy left the game early for Penn-Trafford with an injury and did not return. Andrew Baker filled in admirably, Hankey said.

The loss for Franklin Regional drew shades of a 1-0 loss to Belle Vernon in double overtime.

“No, this was different,” White said.

Chances were there, but the Panthers couldn’t get a shot past keeper Jose Chaves.

Thomas Bridges ripped a shot just wide with two minutes to play.

Franklin Regional had two headers go just left in the closing two minutes of an evenly played first half.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford