GLENVIEW -- Expectations were riding high that there would be a clear leader in the Central Suburban League South Division after Thursday night. 

But neither no. 3 Evanston nor second-ranked host Glenbrook South took advantage of the opportunity. After 80 full minutes of intense, grueling battle, the teams settled for a 1-1 draw. 

The clubs remain deadlocked in first and face rivalry games Oct. 1 on the last night of their conference seasons. Glenbrook South (13-0-1, 3-0-1) hosts 15th-ranked Glenbrook North; Evanston (11-0-2, 3-0-1) will tangle with host and ninth-ranked New Trier on the same night.

Glenbrook South appeared content with the result, for the most part. 

"It was a physical game, and we knew it would be," Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara said. "I feel like with the fans there, and everything at stake, it felt like a supersectional championship. The atmosphere was electric. 

"(Evanston) was just as good as everyone said they would be. They come at you with speed, skill and physicality. 

“I thought our boys did very well. We had a lot of chances that were so close. I'm proud of the response. Being down 1-0, they could've easily given up. But what an awesome goal, and it shows how badly my boys wanted it. We just want to get better." 

Both teams played through a scoreless first 40 minutes with minimal chances and play mired in the midfield. 

Evanston broke through in the 43rd minute. Joseph Sargent took a pass from Johnny Hunwick, and then hit a shot from the left side of the box that slightly deflected off Glenbrook South keeper Michael Falk. The ball caromed off the post and then into the back of the net.

Glenbrook South responded in the 54th minute. After Emil Cerimovic took a pass from Matheus Carvalho, he made a move to find at the top of the box and slotted a shot into the low corner. 

"I really liked watching the ball," Cerimovic said. "It's a great feeling to get the ball into the back of the net. I just made the yard of space and found my target in the bottom corner."

Cerimovic knew the match was going to be a battle.

"It was an intense game, and one that we prepared for," Cerimovic said. "It wasn't the result that we were hoping for. We were hoping to get the win. 

“We don't want to tie anyone in the conference and want it for ourselves. I thought we did play well, actually both teams played very well. It was high intensity. "

Chris Vazquez was a big part of the Titans' midfield that kept control of possession and put pressure on the Wildkits. 

"We were doing one-two's so amazing, and we were working hard on every single play," Vazquez said. "It didn't matter if we were attacking or going up. We work hard and give it 100 percent. 

“I knew that this game was going to be very hard. Evanston was a very good team. They move the ball very well. 

“I knew this game would be tight, that it wouldn't be just us attacking all the time. I think we need to learn to finish our chances. But we saw how we can compete against a very good team."

After the Titans' tied the match, Evanston pushed on counterattacks. Falk stepped up to the challenge. Four of his six saves for the match were of the game-saving variety.

"That was the strongest offense that we played this year," said Falk, who was named the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match. 

"It was the most that I had to work (this season). Most of these games, I really don't have to do too much. But this game. I really had to be active. I just had to go for it (the ball) or have my defense clear the ball away. I was quick to get off my line. 

“I'm proud of the team. We have had some injuries, but we played and stayed in it and stayed undefeated."

Evanston was forced to entertain a defensive mindset, a rarity for them this season. 

"It was a great battle and another great lesson for us to build on," Evanston coach Franz Calixte said. "We’re an offensive team and telling them to stay, wait and stay compact, it does take some practice. These guys want to go forward all the time."

Seeing what Glenbrook South had to offer caught the eye of the Wildkits.

"(Glenbrook South) did a great job in the middle of the field," Calixte said. "They do have talented players. It was a great high school game."

The Wildkits played without forward Cristiano Homer, who sat due to a red card. Evanston also played without a starting defender and lost another in the match. 

"You've got to play the game," Calixte said. "It's a part of high school soccer like during the playoffs. It's like next man up. That's our mentality, and we had a lot of guys come through."

Both teams headed to the Great River Classic in Bettendorf, Ia., for their weekend action.

Glenbrook South was scheduled to meet Verona (Wis.) at 6:45 p.m. Friday.

Evanston topped Waukesha West (Wis.) 2-0 in early afternoon action.  

Starting lineups

Evanston
GK-Charlie Dillman
D-Kingston Scrim
D-Max Gentry
D-Finn Lennon
MF-Orlando Tobin
MF-John O'Carroll
MF-Iyanuo Jolaoluwa
MF-Zachary O'Donovan
MF-Lucas Fox
F-Joseph Sargent 
F-Johnny Hunwick

Glenbrook South
GK-Michael Falk
D-Yianni Biscotakis
D-Dennis Alickolli
D-T.J. Philips
D-Paul Scherer
MF-Chase Owens
MF-Emil Cerimovic
MF-Chris Vazquez
MF-Matheus Carvalho
F-Jacob Ciszyk
F-Ronan Kessler

Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Michael Falk, sr., GK, Glenbrook South

Scoring summary

First half 
No scoring

Second half
E: Joseph Sargent (Johnny Hunwick), 43'
GBS: Emil Cerimovic (Matheus Carvalho), 54'