PALATINE -- Jackson Lee's superb 38th-minute strike delivered a thrilling 1-0 victory for top-seed Glenbrook North over upset-minded Rolling Meadows in the first Fremd Sectional semifinal Tuesday night at Hildebrandt Field.

Lee took an Ian Lee volley down the right side before turning a pair of defenders and smashing home the game-winner high into the right corner from just inside 12 yards.

"It looked like their keeper might have been expecting me to (go) far post, so maybe I surprised him with my shot," said Jackson Lee. The sophomore’s sublime effort sliced into a small window of opportunity.

"Jackson came to the rescue for us, because (Rolling Meadows) had a lot of the play leading up to his goal," said Spartans manager Paul Vignocchi, whose club will meet Palatine on Friday in the sectional final.

The Spartans (19-3-2) put a halt to the Cinderella run of the Mustangs (10-10-3). Rolling Meadows pulled off a stunner with its first round regional-opening win over North Suburban Conference champion and fourth-seeded Lake Zurich. It then downed 12th-seeded conference rival Prospect in PKs to take the Hersey Regional crown.

Glenbrook North struggled to find its rhythm after having plenty of the play in the first 20 minutes of the match.

"(They) were much better than the no. 13 seed they had,” Vignochhi said. “We created some chances early on, but their midfield led by no. 7 (Brian Diaz) took a lot of the play away from us until Jackson's goal."

Rolling Meadows keeper Marceli Okonski made a couple of crucial stops throughout the match. He exhibited total command of his box, which became more important when the Mustangs conceded 12 long throws from the Spartans throw-in specialist Chase Petersen.

"We knew it was important for us to defend those long throws from no. 11 (Petersen) and be cognizant of no. 10 (Steven Rhee) and no. 24 (Ian Lee) ," said Mustangs manager Brett Olson. “I feel that we did a very good job of keeping close tabs on all three of their top guys.”

With the quintet of Alex Kociubinski, Kalvin Luganas, Jona SanRoman, Eltayeb Mahmound and Diaz running the Mustangs attack, the game tilted in Rolling Meadows favor.

"It's too bad we gave up that late goal in the first half, but I felt like (it) didn't bother us very much after the break," said Olson.

Glenbrook North could have been up 2-0 moments after the intermission, but Okanski made a wonderful save to deny Jackson Lee a second tally.

As this semifinal progressed towards the hour mark, the Spartans received some strong ball-winning work from Yianny Caparos, Sam Lappin, Kieran Layland and Brady Spiggos that kept the Mustangs from getting in on their keeper Gil Meyers.

Okanski kept it a one-goal game turned away a sure score on Lukasz Wilczek’s wicked one-timer in the 68th minute.

Rolling Meadows pushed numbers ahead in search of the leveling goal in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t find it.

"Just a great effort by the boys tonight,” began Olson. “We played 80 fantastic minutes of soccer against the no. 1 seed and had our chances along the way.

"I am so proud of these guys. We're going to miss a really great bunch of seniors, but the core group coming back are young and talented. We'll look to get back here next fall."

Glenbrook North booked its first appearance in a sectional final since 2012.

"Rolling Meadows played great, especially their keeper, but tonight it was our seniors who helped get us right when things began to go their way,” said Jackson Lee. “They are a big reason why we've had the success we've had this season."

PALATINE -- Jackson Lee's superb 38th-minute strike delivered a thrilling 1-0 victory for top-seed Glenbrook North over upset-minded Rolling Meadows in the first Fremd Sectional semifinal Tuesday night at Hildebrandt Field.

Lee took an Ian Lee volley down the right side before turning a pair of defenders and smashing home the game-winner high into the right corner from just inside 12 yards.

"It looked like their keeper might have been expecting me to (go) far post, so maybe I surprised him with my shot," said Jackson Lee. The sophomore’s sublime effort sliced into a small window of opportunity.

"Jackson came to the rescue for us, because (Rolling Meadows) had a lot of the play leading up to his goal," said Spartans manager Paul Vignocchi, whose club will meet Palatine on Friday in the sectional final.

The Spartans (19-3-2) put a halt to the Cinderella run of the Mustangs (10-10-3). Rolling Meadows pulled off a stunner with its first round regional-opening win over North Suburban Conference champion and fourth-seeded Lake Zurich. It then downed 12th-seeded conference rival Prospect in PKs to take the Hersey Regional crown.

Glenbrook North struggled to find its rhythm after having plenty of the play in the first 20 minutes of the match.

"(They) were much better than the no. 13 seed they had,” Vignochhi said. “We created some chances early on, but their midfield led by no. 7 (Brian Diaz) took a lot of the play away from us until Jackson's goal."

Rolling Meadows keeper Marceli Okonski made a couple of crucial stops throughout the match. He exhibited total command of his box, which became more important when the Mustangs conceded 12 long throws from the Spartans throw-in specialist Chase Petersen.

"We knew it was important for us to defend those long throws from no. 11 (Petersen) and be cognizant of no. 10 (Steven Rhee) and no. 24 (Ian Lee) ," said Mustangs manager Brett Olson. “I feel that we did a very good job of keeping close tabs on all three of their top guys.”

With the quintet of Alex Kociubinski, Kalvin Luganas, Jona SanRoman, Eltayeb Mahmound and Diaz running the Mustangs attack, the game tilted in Rolling Meadows favor.

"It's too bad we gave up that late goal in the first half, but I felt like (it) didn't bother us very much after the break," said Olson.

Glenbrook North could have been up 2-0 moments after the intermission, but Okanski made a wonderful save to deny Jackson Lee a second tally.

As this semifinal progressed towards the hour mark, the Spartans received some strong ball-winning work from Yianny Caparos, Sam Lappin, Kieran Layland and Brady Spiggos that kept the Mustangs from getting in on their keeper Gil Meyers.

Okanski kept it a one-goal game turned away a sure score on Lukasz Wilczek’s wicked one-timer in the 68th minute.

Rolling Meadows pushed numbers ahead in search of the leveling goal in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t find it.

"Just a great effort by the boys tonight,” began Olson. “We played 80 fantastic minutes of soccer against the no. 1 seed and had our chances along the way.

"I am so proud of these guys. We're going to miss a really great bunch of seniors, but the core group coming back are young and talented. We'll look to get back here next fall."

Glenbrook North booked its first appearance in a sectional final since 2012.

"Rolling Meadows played great, especially their keeper, but tonight it was our seniors who helped get us right when things began to go their way,” said Jackson Lee. “They are a big reason why we've had the success we've had this season."