South wins battle of the Glenbrooks

Updated: May 7, 2011 10:05AM

Season-long indicators suggested Friday’s Glenbrook showdown in Northbrook would end in a scoreless tie, an unresolved result that’s somewhat unfulfilling for many.

For 63 minutes that held true as two of the best defenses in the area — possibly in the state — frustrated the offenses and stole the show.

That was until Lindsey Oldshue collected a ball in the right corner of Glenbrook North’s box and sent a cross that connected with fellow sophomore April Cronin, who punched the game-winning goal into the upper-left corner past Katherine Weber with 16:59 to play for the 1-0 victory.

“Every person on our bench jumped to their feet,” said Glenbrook South goalie Jessica Campobasso, who started the first half before being relieved by Kelsey Byers. “What a great goal to watch. There was no doubt it was going in.”

Glenbrook North had good looks on goal earlier in the second half, but Rachel Hirshman and Ashley Kamin missed their marks.

“We had our opportunities in the game,” said Glenbrook North coach Paul Vignocchi, who’s in his last season as the girls coach after accepting a position in the school’s athletic administration.

Vignocchi will remain as the head boys coach. “We need to finish those.”

The Spartans (16-3-2) came into the contest with three field players on the sidelines.

Freshman Maggie Doar learned earlier in the week that she tore her ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Senior Stephanie Murthey and sophomore Montana Paley, the team’s leading scorer, were out with concussions. Vignocchi expects Murthey and Paley back for the playoff opener, which is May 17.

The Spartans then lost goalie Jen Liberman midway through the first half when she collided with a Glenbrook South player. Weber moved from the field to replace the sophomore.

The shutout extended Glenbrook South’s record streak to 10 matches. The Titans, unbeaten in their last 11 matches and 14-4-3 this spring, have 17 for the season, one away from tying the program record.

“That’s huge,” Campobasso said. “Keeping the shutouts going was definitely a big factor for us.”

Glenbrook North plays Monday against Deerfield with a share of the CSL North title on the line. Niles North finished league play 4-0-1, and the Spartans enter their final match 3-0-1.

Glenbrook South earned a share of the CSL South championship by going 4-0-1. It was the team’s first conference title since 2009 and third since coach Seong Ha took the job.

“Gritty performance out there,” said the coach, whose team played five matches this week from Monday to Friday. “Pretty amazing accomplishment, really. It was a daunting task for us, and we have a lot of tired bodies.”

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