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Girls Soccer: CSL combine on FC United run to regionals
New Trier's Maddie Mulford (24) stays ahead of Palatine's Morgan Radtke (6) during their soccer match. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
FC United U-16 Select
Bailey Bradford (Deerfield)
Carolyn Briggs (Stevenson)
Sarah Connors (New Trier)
Maggie Doar (Glenbrook North)
Lucy Edwards (Lake Forest)
Skyler Groth (Buffalo Grove)
Rachel Hirshmann (Glenbrook North)
Sydney Johnston (Lake Forest)
Tricia Lybrook (New Trier)
Emily Miller (New Trier)
Maddie Mulford (New Trier)
Sofia Pavon (Lane)
Emma Schellenbach (New Trier)
Lauren Smith (Loyola)
Margaret Walker (Loyola)
Jenna Wiener (Stevenson)
Elle Zadina (Loyola)
Updated: July 29, 2012 6:58AM
Maddie Mulford might be the face of the FC United’s U-16 Select offense.
For good reason.
The rising junior at New Trier has been unstoppable. One of nine CSL players on the club, Mulford scored three goals in the team’s 4-0 victory over Academy SC, in Rockford, to win the Illinois State Cup and was responsible for eight of FC United’s 19 goals in the four tournament games.
“Her ability to move off the ball and time her runs allows her to get the ball in different areas,” FC United coach Brian Rigby said. “She’s also very composed going to goal and has become a fantastic goal-finisher.
“But her success also comes from the players around her. I’m and thrilled with all of our lines.”
Rigby made sure to spread the praise around to all his players and added that the attributes that led to the team’s first Illinois State Cup can’t be measured.
“I think what makes this team special is the sisterhood,” he said. “They get along great with one another, on and off the field. Also, they have such an attention to detail and commitment.”
FC United outscored its four opponents 19-1 to advance to the Region II championship in Saginaw, Mich., this week. The team won twice and tied once in pool play to advance to the tournament semifinals, scheduled for Tuesday. The final was slated for Wednesday, with the winner qualifying for the national tournament.
Mulford scored in each of the three games to run her total to 11 in the last seven matches.
The defense, anchored by goalies Lauren Smith and Bailey Bradford, allowed one goal at tshe state tournament and one more in pool play at the regionals.
Lucy Edwards, Tricia Lybrook, Sarah Connors, Sydney Johnston, Carolyn Briggs and Elle Zadina comprise the rotation in the back row.
“Lucy’s been great,” Rigby said of the Lake Forest standout. “She’s great in the air and at one-on-one defending. She’s also great at bringing the ball out of the back.
“We knew we had a bunch of good girls from the minute we put them all together.”
FC United entered Tuesday’s semifinal game against Cleveland United White with a record of 26-6-6.
