Franklin Regional in final four
DiFalco scores both goals in another shutout
Coming up with a game plan to defeat the Franklin Regional boys soccer team is pretty basic: Score a goal.
It sounds simple enough, but the Panthers don’t make it easy.
Junior goalkeeper Gianni Diacopoulos posted his 17th shutout in 22 games and sophomore striker Anthony DiFalco took care of the offense with two second-half goals as Franklin Regional (21-0-1) beat District 10 champion Erie Cathedral Prep, 2-0, in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals Saturday at Slippery Rock University.
“We got the ball wide as quickly as possible,” Franklin Regional coach Rand Hudson said. “We had quick switches and we’re a good possession team, which helped.”
DiFalco now has 34 goals this season.
In its six matches this postseason, Franklin Regional has outscored its opponents, 31-3, with four shutouts.
It is also the second consecutive season the Panthers have shut out the Ramblers in the quarterfinal round.
More Class 3A
Lower Dauphin 3, West Allegheny 2: The Indians rode Will Douglas’ goal to a 1-0 lead at the intermission, but Lower Dauphin opened the second half with three consecutive goals. Keegan Amos scored the game’s final goal, but it wasn’t enough for West Allegheny to come all the way back. The 2018 state champions also fell one game shy of meeting Franklin Regional in what would have been a rematch of the WPIAL final.
Class 4A
Central Bucks West 1, Mt. Lebanon 0: The Blue Devils’ shot at winning their first state championship since 1981 came to a crashing halt when Central Bucks West scored the game-winning goal with less than 17 minutes remaining in regulation. Mt. Lebanon was making its first appearance in the state tournament since 2009.
Class 2A
Mercyhurst Prep 3, Deer Lakes 2: Jarrett Harry scored his third goal of the game to complete the hat trick in the 74th minute to break a 2-2 tie and send Deer Lakes home from Slippery Rock University with a season-ending loss. Devin Murray and A.J. Dorman scored for the Lancers, who twice fought back from one-goal deficits to tie the score.
Quaker Valley 4, Punxsutawney 2: The Quakers jumped to a 4-0 lead as four players scored goals against the District 9 champions. Senior Franky Fernandez set up the first two goals and knocked home the eventual game-winner on a penalty kick midway through the second half. The Quakers advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
Class 1A
Winchester Thurston 4, Lancaster Country Day 0: The Bears are making up for lost time as they have moved into the semifinals in their first state playoffs appearance since 2014. DiederikPaul Schlingemann and Grant Robinson each had a goal and an assist and Morgan Graham made it stand up with his 13th shutout of the season.
Greensburg Central Catholic 1, Springdale 0: Indiana University recruit Nate Ward scored the only goal of the game with 12:18 remaining in overtime. The Centurions will make their second consecutive semifinals appearance.