Westmoreland County PIAA soccer playoff preview capsule for Nov. 4, 2025

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, November 3, 2025 | 4:44 PM

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PIAA boys soccer playoffs

Class 3A

First round

7-2 Franklin Regional (18-4) at 6-1 Hollidaysburg (17-2-1)

7 p.m. Tuesday, Tiger Stadium, Hollidaysburg

Winner plays: Winner of 3-1 Conrad Weiser (21-0-1)/7-3 Thomas Jefferson (19-3-1) on Saturday in quarterfinals (time, site TBD)

Coaches: Nick White, Franklin Regional; Craig Shale, Hollidaysburg

Players to watch: Michael Hillebrand, Franklin Regional; Owen Naugle, Hollidaysburg

Throw-ins: Franklin Regional finished as the WPIAL runner-up for the second year in a row with a 2-1 loss to West Allegheny in Saturday’s district final. Fabrizzio Costa had the lone goal for the Panthers on an ideal set-up by defender Thomas Bridges in the 21st minute. Costa leads the Panthers with 15 goals and 13 assists. Franklin Regional has 64 goals scored and 12 allowed, with 13 shutouts. The Panthers had a six-game winning streak halted by the Indians. The Panthers made the state quarterfinals last year, defeating Bellefonte in the first round and falling to Conrad Weiser, 2-0. … Hollidaysburg hasn’t played since Oct. 28 when it edged past Tyrone, 1-0 in overtime, to win the District 6 title. Andrew Chestney scored the winner, just the second goal of the senior’s career, six minutes into OT. The Tigers held back Central Mountain, 2-1, in the semifinals as Naugle and Brealyn Ross scored goals, and Alex Arbogast assisted on both. Liam Jancula is a steady goalkeeper, averaging 3.7 saves. Naugle has a team-high 17 goals, and Ross has 13. The Tigers last made the state tournament in 2021 and lost to Hampton, 6-0, in the first round.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hollidaysburg