Glenbrook South Nets First CSL Championship Title

Glenbrook South secured its first-ever Central Suburban League soccer title by defeating visiting Niles North 3-2 on Thursday, October 9, in a hard-fought match held in Glenview. The Titans overcame one-goal deficits twice during the game, scoring a late goal to clinch the victory in what coach Reggie Lara described as a "surreal feeling" for the team.

The match began with Niles North taking an early lead in the eighth minute, as Michael Man scored off an assist from Beco Cubic. Glenbrook South equalized in the 49th minute when Victor Jodlowski converted a penalty kick after a foul by the Vikings. Niles North regained the lead, but the Titans tied the game again at 2-2 in the 55th minute, with Sasha Raguimov scoring his first varsity goal by capitalizing on a pass from Roman Rozenbaum and beating two defenders. The winning goal came in the 66th minute from another penalty kick by Jodlowski, who noted the mental challenge of the situation and expressed confidence in his execution.

Key moments included Raguimov's goal, where he described pushing through physical discomfort to score, and Jodlowski's decisive penalty kick, which he attributed to self-assurance amid pressure. The Titans' resilience was highlighted by their ability to battle back in a playoff atmosphere, with coach Lara praising the team's depth and the contributions of senior players in overcoming adversity.

Reflecting on the season, Glenbrook South started slowly with a 1-4 record but improved to finish 10-7-2, earning a spot in the title game after sharing the Central Suburban South division title with Glenbrook North and Maine South, each with 3-1-1 division records. This victory marked the Titans' first CSL South title since 1984, ending a 41-year drought and capping a season of growth and determination for the team.