Westmoreland County PIAA soccer preview capsule for Nov. 9, 2024

By: Friday, November 8, 2024 | 11:01 AM

PIAA boys soccer playoffs

Class 3A

Franklin Regional (15-4-2) vs. Conrad Weiser (23-1-1)

District seeds: Franklin Regional 7-2; Conrad Weiser 3-1

Winner plays: Winner of 8-1 Allderdice (13-4-1)/7-1 Moon (23-0) Tuesday in semifinals (time, site TBD)

First round: Franklin Regional 6, Bellefonte 0; Conrad Weiser 4, Mars 0

Corner kicks: WPIAL runner-up Franklin Regional was dominant in its first state-playoff win since 2021. Danny Christafano scored two goals, while Jovan Sankoorikal, Fabrizzio Costa and Andrew Acosta had one apiece for the Panthers. Bellefonte also had an own goal. Sankoorikal returned after missing the last two games due to a red-card suspension. Franklin Regional played in the state semifinals in 2018 and '19. The first-round win marked the Panthers' 10th shutout of the season. Norwin played back-to-back PIAA games at Chambersburg last season. Chambersburg is about 150 miles southeast of Murrysville on the PA Turnpike and winding Route 30. ... Conrad Weiser captured its first district title since 1995 as the champion of District 3, located near the southeast corner of the state. The district includes 10 counties: Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, York, Franklin, Adams, Perry, Juniata, Lebanon and Berks. Conrad Weiser had scored 104 goals and allowed 24 and has won five straight games. Its only loss is to Muhlenberg, 3-2. Against Mars, a team Franklin Regional beat in the WPIAL semifinals, the Scouts did not allow a shot on goal. Gavin Rapp had a first-round hat trick, while Parker Centeno also had a goal. Abu Barrie, Luke Callahan and Cash Stout has assists. ... The Scouts are 10-0 away from home this season.

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