MILTON, Mass. - In a matchup of two of the best teams in New England, it was only fitting that the Independent School League (ISL) showdown between Milton and Middlesex ended in a 1-1 draw on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

The first half was a back and forth affair, with Milton connecting well on the counterattack and Middlesex trying to feed the ball to their front line. 

In the 13th minute, Noah Helfgott (London, England) turned the corner on the byline and was hauled down for a penalty kick that Middlesex was unable to convert and then, within the next two minutes, Middlesex created an open net look on the back post that was sent wide. 

Milton had a shot from distance that found its way through the Middlesex back line and proceeded to bounce off both posts and stay out of the net.

The Mustangs broke through, however, when they threw the ball forward and won a corner kick after a set piece that was caused by the dynamic movement of Emmanuel Cheyo. Middlesex flicked the corner away to the left side of the box, but the ball pressure was late arriving, and the second phase fell to the feet of an onrushing attacker who unleashed a volley from 15 yards out that found the roof of the net and the home crowd erupted, sending the hosts into intermission ahead 1-0.

The second half was epic, as both sides stood toe-to-toe and threw their best at the other team. Milton's left back, Ben Pierog, really stood out as the most consistently effective player on the field. 

As the half wore on, Will McCarthy (Concord, Mass.) played like a young man possessed to stop the Milton attack and spring another Middlesex attack. It looked like Middlesex might be denied their share of the points until a ball slipped to Helfgott in from 40 yards out and he drove into the area, only to be fouled again, setting up a second penalty kick in the 88th minute. Helfgott dusted himself off and proceeded to dispatch the spot kick for the 1-1 draw. 

Helfgott, McCarthy, goalkeeper Noah Browne (Kingston, Jamaica) and Mahad Garad (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) were four of Middlesex's many standout performers. 

Middlesex is back in action on Wednesday when they host Lawrence Academy for a 3:00 PM start against the Spartans.