Veteran goalkeeper gives Franklin Regional a puncher’s chance in WPIAL finals vs. Moon

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Having already appeared in eight playoff games in his career, including a few as a defender, Franklin Regional goalkeeper Noah Walker brings experience to his first WPIAL soccer championship game.

His coach believes Walker gives the Panthers a shot at their third WPIAL title in six years.

“He is the foundation on which this team is built and constructed,” first-year Panthers coach Nick White said. “He is our rock.”

Walker has nine shutouts this season, his first as a full-time keeper. He helped the seventh-seeded Panthers (14-3-2) blank Trinity in the first round (3-0) and made some highlight-reel saves to deny No. 2 Thomas Jefferson in the quarterfinals and No. 6 Mars in the semifinals, both 2-1 wins.

Walker also was in net last year when Franklin Regional knocked off Moon in the quarterfinals, 2-1 in overtime.

Then, the Panthers were seeded 11th and the Tigers were third.

This year, Moon (21-0) is the undefeated No. 1 seed and the favorite to win its seventh WPIAL title Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

Franklin Regional doesn’t plan to make it easy as it guns for another upset.

“We beat them last year, which gives us more confidence than a lot of teams that have played them,” the 6-foot Walker said, bumping his puffy black gloves together like a boxer waiting for the bell. “We have a lot of returning players. We’re excited. We fell short three times already (in the playoffs). Now that we’re in the finals, we want to win.”

Walker first appeared in the playoffs when he was a freshman, taking over for an injured Aryan Selokar against Erie Cathedral Prep in the first round of the PIAA playoffs, a 2-1 win.

He also played in the next game, a 2-0 loss to Hampton.

“The Cathedral Prep game was the most nervous I have ever been,” he said. “But after that, it’s been smooth sailing. I feel like I am more aggressive (than Selokar) and better at balls in the air.

“I was a little bummed when I had to play defense, but the team was doing well.”

Walker did not see time in the postseason as a sophomore but played defense and keeper off and on last year as a junior.

“I had an assist against Montour,” he said.

He played in three of four playoff games last year, including a 3-1 loss to Montour in the WPIAL third-place game.

With a defensive mentality, Walker has made a habit out of preventing and stopping shots.

“When you play defense and goalkeeper, you have that different perspective,” he said.

White thinks the Panthers can lean on their senior leadership, including that from Walker, to play under the bright lights at Station Square.

“He has played behind guys and waited to be the starter,” White said. “People don’t realize how much (playoff) experience he has. He plays his best when the stakes are high.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional