With Fabrizzio Costa filling net, Franklin Regional wins 1st-round PIAA match

By: Mike Boytim
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 9:36 PM

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HOLLIDAYSBURG — Fabrizzio Costa continued his hot postseason with a goal off a penalty kick just 1 minute, 9 seconds into Tuesday’s 3-0 win by Franklin Regional over District 6 champion Hollidaysburg in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A boys soccer playoffs at Tiger Stadium.

“It was pretty big to set the tone for the game and keep us ahead,” Costa said. “After the (WPIAL) quarterfinal game for me, everything just clicked. I got into a rhythm. I just want to ride it out and see how far I can take this.

“Our goal is a state championship. Our school has never done it. That’s our main focus.”

Costa, a senior, scored the Panthers’ lone goal in a WPIAL semifinal win over second-seeded Bethel Park and also scored in a championship loss to West Allegheny.

“Fabrizzio is one of our top guys,” Franklin Regional coach Nick White said. “He made all-section and all-WPIAL. He’s a great player and a great senior leader for us. He’s a co-captain, our leading goal scorer and our leader in assists. He drives our offense, and I thought he played a really strong game.”

With 12:37 to play before the half, Cruise Lamanna put Franklin Regional (17-4) in complete control when he made it 2-0.

Hollidaysburg was hampered by four yellow cards in the first 40 minutes.

“Hollidaysburg challenged us physically,” White said. “We had a couple guys go out with injuries, and hopefully we can get them back. We did have one leave on a cart, so he’ll probably be for sure out, but hopefully the other guys get back for Saturday’s match.”

The Golden Tigers had what looked like it was going to be a good scoring chance with about five minutes to play in the first half, but Franklin Regional defender Thomas Bridges broke up the play. Then with 2:56 to play in the half, Emerson Bush made his best stop on a night when the Panthers controlled possession for most of the game.

Costa set up the Panthers’ final goal with a corner kick that was headed in by Michael Hillebrand with 6:53 to play.

Franklin Regional will take on undefeated District 3 champion Conrad Weiser, a 4-1 winner over Thomas Jefferson, in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals Saturday at a time and location to be announced.

“We’re having a rematch,” White said. “We lost to Conrad, 2-0, last year in the quarters in Chambersburg. They are tremendous. They are the No. 1 team in the state as far as I am aware of. They are undefeated and having an even better season than last year. We’ll have our work cut out for us, but that’s why you play the games.”

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hollidaysburg