Girls Soccer - Franklin Regional vs Latrobe

October 20, 2021

Franklin Regional Girls Top Latrobe 2-1 in 2-Overtime Playoff Tune Up

By the time the Franklin Regional and Latrobe girls soccer teams met on the field in Murrysville on Wednesday, October 20, they both already knew what lies just ahead for them in the upcoming WPIAL playoffs. Earlier in the day the seeding committee had blessed both teams with number 3 seeds, Greater Latrobe in Class 4A and Franklin Regional in Class 3A. The game they were about to play meant nothing in the standings nor in the playoff picture, but it served as a good tune up for next week's playoff competition. And it played out just like a late-round playoff game, with the teams taking a 1-1 tie deep into a second overtime period before the Lady Panthers prevailed with a 2-1 sudden victory.

Neither team claimed the advantage in an evenly matched game until the Lady Wildcats broke the ice with freshman Robin Reilly's goal past Panthers' netminder Aris Lamanna at 3:25 left in the first half. It marked the only points scored in the first half.

The second half looked much like the first until 9:25 remained in regulation when the Panthers evened the score. Sydney Lindeman's long range bomb hit the cross bar and dropped in on Latrobe goalkeeper Sofia DeCerb before she knew what happened. Both teams made runs at the other's net during the remaining time in regulation, but the clock expired before either could break the stalemate.

A scoreless first 10-minute overtime period led to a second, and that's when Lindeman got the golden goal with 2:29 remaining on the clock to give the Panthers the 2-1 win. The low-scoring, competitive action of the contest for over 97 minutes should benefit both teams in preparing for their playoff opponents next week.

Both teams will open the playoffs at home. Franklin Regional (13-3-1) will host 14 seed West Allegheny on Monday, October 25 at 6:30. Latrobe (13-1-1) will have a bye in the first round before hosting the winner of #6 Peters Township and #11 Pine-Richland on Thursday, October 28 at 6:30.

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.

Keywords: franklin regional, girls, high school, latrobe, soccer, westmoreland county