Titans pull off shocker on Glenbrook North

It was the shot heard around Glenview, and a crushing blow for the folks in Northbrook.

In one of the biggest wins of the season, and perhaps in recent school history for Glenbrook South, the Titans upset arch-rival Glenbrook North 2-1 in overtime on a penalty kick by senior forward Briggs Campbell Saturday afternoon in the Glenbrook South Regional championship.

Campbell's heroic goal sent the Titans on to Tuesday's sectional at Glenbrook North and prematurely ended the Spartans' successful season. The four-time Central Suburban League North champs finished the season 15-3-4.

Glenbrook North had been highly-rated all season with its sights set on going deep into the playoffs.

"You always hate to play your rival in the tournament," Glenbrook North coach Paul Vignocchi said. "They (Glenbrook South) had two great shots. Those are two of the best shots I've seen in high school soccer. I don't think any goalkeeper could have saved those goals. They were well-placed shots."

Campbell was awarded the penalty kick after he was taken down by a Spartan player on a scoring attempt. His shot sailed past Glenbrook North's senior goalkeeper Graham Heydt into the upper left corner of the net.

"I noticed the goalie was too far to the left," Campbell said. "It is one of the few times Graham's been out of position. I noticed it and put the ball up to the side.

"I had been practicing (penalty kicks) them all morning," Campbell said. "We got here early and our coach (Jim Wolter) had us taking shots."

Campbell said the win was a bittersweet victory for the Titans, who finished the regular season 8-10-3 overall and 0-4-1 in the Central Suburban League South.

"We had a rough season, but we want to get as far along as we can in the playoffs," Campbell said.

The Spartans' Dan Malter put Glenbrook North ahead 1-0 at the half. Then Campbell tied it 1-1 with nine minutes left in the second half.

Heydt made five saves for the Spartans, while Dean Karras had three for the Titans.

Glenbrook North made it to the title game after disposing of Chicago Roosevelt 6-0 in the opening game Oct. 17. Danny Ahlering scored two goals as the Spartans jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead.

The Titans advance to the championship after defeating Northside Academy 2-1 in the second game of the first round.

Ned Pavlovic scored the Titans' first goal when he came from the right side, was tripped up, but still got a shot off for the goal. Northside Academy tied it 1-1 before Campbell scored from the left angle at 53:23 to seal the game.