Publications & Sites 
Girls Soccer: Mulford works OT to lift New Trier
New Trier's Aly Marzonie advances the ball vs. Steinmetz in girls soccer regional semifinal in Northfield. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 3, 2012 12:11PM
Maddie Mulford scored the game-winning goal in New Trier’s 1-0 win over top-ranked and top-seeded Loyola in the Niles North Sectional final on Friday.
Aly Marzonie and the rest of the defense provided the sophomore striker with an opportunity to beat the Ramblers in triple overtime after 102 scoreless minutes.
New Trier coach Jim Burnside applauded all of his defenders — Marzonie, Molly Cahill, Nora Mabie and Sarah Connors — as well as goalie Emma Schaff. But Marzonie, the only senior and a two-year starter, is the glue that binds the back line together.
“She and Maddie are the two fastest girls on the team,” said Burnside, whose club improved to 20-3-1. “Dead equal. What makes Aly so good is her level of communication and knowledge of the game. That is what sets her apart. She’s our leader, but she also listens to the other girls. They feel confident to talk to her.”
Marzonie said the group has grown close and played its best game of the season on Friday.
“No one is afraid to step up,” Marzonie said. “We all trust what each other can do.”
Marzonie said the Trevians hoped to meet the Ramblers again in the playoffs after losing to them in a sectional final last year. Loyola beat New Trier 2-0 at the Pepsi Showdown earlier this season.
“We were talking this game up at the beginning of the season,” said Marzonie, who will attend DePauw University, where Burnside played college soccer. “This was the game we were working toward. It was a special game.”
After two scoreless OTs, Mulford received a ball from Rachel Shellenback, collected it and sent a shot over the head of Loyola’s Lauren Smith for her 18th goal of the season.
“She does not stop working,” Burnside said of Mulford. “I asked her during the game if she needed a sub, and she wagged her finger at me. She has guts. She’s not only a bulldog, but she’s smart. She’s a coach’s dream.”
