LINCOLNSHIRE -- Glenbrook North vs. Glenbrook South is easily one of the most highly anticipated annual matches of the north suburban soccer season – it’s the North London Derby, El Classico and Der Klassiker of District 225.

This fantastic cross-town rivalry, with just more than three miles separating the schools, has provided plenty of hard-fought, intense matches during its long history.

It's not often these archrivals meet in the postseason, which meant their Stevenson Sectional semifinal was extra special Tuesday night in Lincolnshire.

Fourth-seeded Glenbrook North, ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, was responsible for its rival’s lone defeat of the season. On Oct. 1, goals from Chase Petersen and Michael Miller were the difference in the 2-1 result in Glenview.

The sectional opener was the perfect setting for top-seeded and second-ranked Glenbrook South to avenge the loss.

But senior defender Drew Horvath’s first half opener, and junior midfielder Jackson Lee’s spot-kick after the hour proved enough for another Glenbrook North 2-1 victory.

"This game pretty much went the way we expected," said a relieved Spartans manager Paul Vignocchi. “We weathered an incredible second half storm where our backline and keeper Gil Meyers really came through when we needed them to.

"Our centerbacks, Chase (Petersen) and Drew Horvath, were strong, so were outside backs Brady (Spiggos) and Eli Shuman, who gave us 50 great minutes before his hammy gave him trouble. 

"John Sellas came in for Eli and did a very good job for us.

"I thought we used the strong wind at our back really well in the first half, it could have been 2-0, or even 3-0 at the break," began Horvath.

"(Glenbrook South) is such a great technical team. It was good for us to go into the half with the lead. We gave it away but then came right back to go ahead on Jackson's PK.

"I really feel the difference in this game was that we stayed and played with a lot of composure and didn't panic at all when they threw a lot at us, especially after we took the lead for good."

Horvath gave the Spartans (15-3-4) the perfect start when he stood alone 18 yards away from goal after a Lukasz Wilczek corner stayed in the Glenbrook South area far too long.

The senior unloaded his one-timer through a maze of blue and white shirts and nestled it into the back of the net in the 22nd minute.

Prior to the icebreaker, an unmarked Alex Ferencz missed an open back-post try after a long throw from Petersen.

After the goal, Glenbrook North kept at it. Glenbrook South’s alert Paul Scherer took a dangerous ball out of the area. Then the Spartans saw terrific work from Wilczek and Jackson Lee that created additional trouble deep inside their rival’s area, but it was defused.

With the momentum firmly at the feet of Glenbrook North entering the second half, Glenbrook South (18-2-3), led by its talented quartet of Matheus Carvalho, Jacob Ciszyk, Ronan Kessler and Chris Vazquez, went to work to slow down their opponent.

The Titans faithful thought for sure they saw a handball when Kessler tricked his way free inside the box, but the referee dismissed the idea at 53 minutes.

Kessler, however, was able to equalize three minutes later with Carvalho at the heart of the goal.

Glenbrook North keeper Meyers was called into action on a pair of quality chances from Vazquez and then Carvalho as Glenbrook South fought for the lead, but after an early ball found Lee, the extra pace and purpose of his run into the box resulted in a foul.

After a brief discussion with his assistant referee, the man in the center pointed to the spot.

Lee smashed home the eventual game-winner in the 65th minute.

"We didn't agree on a couple of offsides flags, nor the PK, but we didn't come out in the first half and play up to a level that we are accustomed to," began Glenbrook South manager Reggie Lara.

"Our game was so much better in the second half, both technically and tactically, but GBN always gives all they have. They rose to the occasion when they needed to, and we just were not able to match them.

"We expected this type of game. Obviously, we're disappointed with the result."

Glenbrook North advances to face third-seeded and eighth-ranked Hersey at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lincolnshire. The Spartans are on a mission to make their first back-to-back trips to the state finals since 1988-89, when eight teams qualified, and third repeat trip overall (1980-81). 

A win Saturday would also give Glenbrook North its first repeat sectional titles since 1988-89 and 1980-81.

Hersey seeks it second sectional title (2006).

Scoring summary

First half 
Glenbrook North: Horvath (unassisted), 22'

Second half 
Glenbrook South: Kessler (unassisted), 56'
Glenbrook North: Lee (PK), 65'