Plum girls soccer picks up where it left off, beats Franklin Regional
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Monday, August 25, 2025 | 10:08 PM
Plum’s Emily Grubich celebrates after scoring during the second half against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Plum’s Hayden Wawrzyniak battles Franklin Regional’s Kate Silvis for possession during their game on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Brenna McLaughlin (24) celebrates with Taylor Spudich after scoring during the first half against Franklin Regional on Monday.
Plum’s Addison French battles Franklin Regional’s Reese Regelski for possession during their game on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Olivia Bigger waits for a corner kick in front of Franklin Regional goalkeeper Addison Ayres during their game on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Gianna Revetta controls the ball during the second half against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Emily Grubich fires a shot against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Olivia Bigger celebrates with Emily Grubich after Grubich scored during the second half against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum goalkeeper Malayna Smith makes a save during the second half against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum’s Brenna McLaughlin (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum head coach Jamie Stewart talks with his team during halftime against Franklin Regional on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Franklin Regional head coach Scott Arnold talks with his team during halftime on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Plum.
Plum opened the season doing what it does best: It won another section game.
Led by a productive defense that did more than prevent goals, the Mustangs girls soccer team ran their section winning streak to 28 with a 3-1 victory over rival Franklin Regional in a Section 4-3A game Monday night in cooler-than-usual temperatures at Mustang Stadium.
“It was great to come out in our opening game at home, with the lights on, and get the win,” Plum coach Jamie Stewart said. “I was really happy with our intensity in the first half. We didn’t know what to expect from Franklin Regional because they lost so many girls and are so young.”
Plum (1-0, 1-0), which got off on the right foot as it chases a seventh straight section title, put in two second-half goals to finally pull away from the Panthers (1-1, 0-1).
A lapse in communication by Franklin Regional allowed Plum to score the opening goal. The Panthers waited for the ball to roll toward goalie Addison Ayres, but Brenna McLaughlin sneaked in behind a loose back line and scored to make it 1-0 in the 33rd minute.
The Mustangs kept Ayres busy early, ripping eight shots in the opening 40 minutes. Ayres saved six of them, including an aggressive, sliding stop in the 18th minute.
Ayres finished with 13 saves as Plum outshot the Panthers, 16-3.
“We had seven (new) girls who are finding experience,” Franklin Regional coach Scott Arnold said. “A lot of them didn’t play against Plum (last year). Plum is a really good team, and they’re fast. We learned a lesson on every goal.”
Franklin Regional had a quality chance to tie it seven minutes into the second half, but senior defender Meghan Stammer deflected a shot inside the six to preserve the slight edge.
Stammer also had an assist.
Franklin Regional once again lagged back late in the second half, and Plum took advantage.
“There some intense situations,” Arnold said. “Our girls are learning. You just can’t give Plum those kinds of chances.”
Junior forward Emily Grubich sprinted into the attacking third and scored on a 3-on-1 to give the Mustangs a 2-0 advantage in the 67th minute.
But Franklin Regional, which was coming off a 1-0 win over Thomas Jefferson in the Moe Rosensteel Memorial Kickoff Classic, answered abruptly.
Freshman Reese Regelski found the net for her second goal of the season to close the gap to 2-1 with 12:40 remaining.
The Mustangs kept attacking and gained a two-goal cushion. Senior Gianna Revetta fought through traffic to connect for a 3-1 advantage with 9:34 left.
The assist went to junior defender Madi Stewart.
“Defensively, I thought we played sound,” Stewart said. “We worked on taking advantage of opportunities.
“We have four games at home to start out. This was a good (opener).”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Franklin Regional, Plum
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