WPIAL soccer playoffs: Mars boys fall in Class 3A semi to Franklin Regional, can still make states
DORMONT — Missed opportunities marked Mars’ offensive effort for the first 71 minutes of Monday’s WPIAL Class 3A boys soccer semifinal against Franklin Regional.
The Planets were held scoreless in that span due to a number of factors — Panthers’ goalie Noah Walker, two offside penalties, crosses that were a bit too high and shots that sailed just high or wide of the net.
The trend ended when Nick Butler possessed a rebound and put a shot past Walker in the 72nd minute.
The Planets celebrated, but knew they needed another score to pull even with the Panthers. A second goal never came, however, as Franklin Regional came away from Keystone Oaks High School’s Dormont Stadium with a 2-1 victory.
The Planets (15-2-4) did their best to withstand a Panthers team (14-3-2) that is strong on the attack. But goals from Cruise Lamanna in the first half and Danny Christafano early in the second were too much to overcome.
“I thought we did OK limiting their chances tonight, but they have three really good forwards,” Mars coach Chris Knauff said. “As we sent numbers forward, they were able to go on the counterattack quickly.”
Mars goalie Eli Stasiowski had already made five saves when Joey Bayne lined up to take the Panthers’ third corner kick in the 33rd minute. Lamanna, who stands well over 6 feet, jumped and directed a header into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“That’s his ninth goal of the season,” Panthers coach Nick White said. “He’s like a redwood in there, so solid and tough.”
Walker made seven saves on the night. He came off his line with confidence and thwarted a number of opportunities for the Planets.
“He split time between goalie and playing in the field last year,” White said. “He’s one of our captains and gets better as the stakes get higher.”
Christafano’s goal, his team-leading 24th of the season, came in the 51st minute.
Despite allowing two goals, Stasiowski prevented eight others and the defense in front of him never let up. A number of defenders, including Camden Osterman, blocked hard shots with their bodies.
“Our defense has played well all year,” Knauff said. “Teams are never going to have an easy time against us, and I credit Franklin Regional for beating us tonight.”
Butler’s goal for the Planets came after a shot from Max Davis was saved but not controlled by Walker.
It is the second straight year the Panthers defeated Mars in the WPIAL playoffs, though last year’s result came in the first round and marked the end of Mars’ season. The Planets can extend their 2024 campaign into the PIAA playoffs if they win Wednesday’s consolation game against Bethel Park, which lost the other semifinal to Moon 3-2.
“It’s tough more from an emotional standpoint,” Knauff said. “Our guys are very disappointed tonight, but we have to turn around in two days and fight for our season.”
