Top-seeded Moon expects to get all it can handle from underdog Franklin Regional in 3A boys soccer final

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, November 1, 2024 | 6:01 PM

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Franklin Regional might be the bottom dog in this matchup, but it is far from moonstruck.

The Panthers are beaming with confidence, yes. But they also are trying not to peek at Moon’s undefeated record, its bevvy of talent or its goals-against average.

Top-seeded Moon is 21-0 and will look to dispatch the seventh-seeded Panthers (14-3-2) when the teams meet Saturday night for the WPIAL 3A boys soccer championship at Highmark Stadium.

The first kick is set for 5:45 p.m.

Not so fast. Neither team can look at the other sideline and see “just another opponent.”

“We have a lot of motivation,” Franklin Regional coach Nick White said. “We’re embracing the underdog role. We’re motivated. We didn’t win our section. We have a chip (on our shoulder) because we got the seventh seed.

“Moon is an incredibly deep team with top-end talent. They have studs all over the field. This is the time for us to show up and be switched on. We have to play a great game.”

Six-time WPIAL champion Moon has scored 112 goals and allowed only 10. The Tigers have 15 shutouts.

Franklin Regional upset No. 2 Thomas Jefferson and No. 6 Mars to reach the final for the fourth time since 2017. The Panthers won titles in 2018 and ‘19.

“Franklin’s dynamic attack is impressive,” Moon coach Tyler Blake said. “They’ve got three to four guys they rotate through up top and on the wing in (Danny) Christafano, (Joey) Bayne, (Cruise) Lamanna, (Fabrizzio) Costa, all guys that can put balls in the back of the net and see the field well. They all play well off each other. It’s hard to pick one or two (players) and choose to shut them down.”

Blake this week was named the Western Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Class 4A Coach of the Year.

Moon has five All-WPIAL players: Jon Mark Balbach, Aedan Costa, Fin Dengel, Marc Haupt, and Evan Thomas. Costa was selected to the all-state list.

Christafano (24 goals) and Jovan Sankoorikal (11 goals) are All-WPIAL selections for the Panthers. Sankoorikal will not play Saturday as he serves the second of a two-game suspension for receiving a red card in the quarterfinals.

Blake said he expects a “back and forth” game.

“I think the game is going to be really entertaining,” Blake said. “Both teams can put the ball in the net. They’ve scored a handful each game in the playoffs, as have we.

“We’re going to have to weather the storm at points while they have momentum and take advantage when we have momentum. We’ll need to ride the flow of the game very well.”

White said the Panthers must take care of the ball and play poised, but he is not expecting perfection.

“I don’t think a perfect game exists (in soccer),” White said. “I believe in these guys. I have faith in them. I can tell you we won’t be afraid.

“We played teams like Norwin, Plum and Fox Chapel (in nonsection play) to be ready for moments like this.”

Moon was challenged in the semis, getting by No. 5 Bethel Park, 3-2 in overtime.

The Tigers blanked Belle Vernon, 6-0, in the first round then shut out Hampton, 3-0.

Blake said the Tigers must be sound with their holding backs and avoid getting his outside backers isolated with the Panthers’ wingers.

“For us to win, we’re going to need to stay organized in the back,” he said. “… And then be dynamic in the attack. We’ve got to find a balance between stretching them by using the width and then finding the channels and pockets central to bury chances.”

Moon most recently won a WPIAL title in 2022, so current players have title-game experience.

Franklin Regional might have a lot of first-time finalists, but the Panthers plan to put up a stand.

“We don’t just want to be happy to be there,” White said. “We’re excited and ready for the opportunity.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Moon