Connor Madden scores three goals to help Smithtown West boys soccer remain unbeaten
Connor Madden of Smithtown West reacts after heading his third goal of the game into the net against East Islip on Monday at Smithtown West. Credit: Dawn McCormick
It’s not unusual for Connor Madden to shine on the soccer pitch. The Smithtown West senior excels as a center back, a pillar in the defensive wall so important to the Bulls’ success. However, Madden sparkled for very different reasons on Monday with Smithtown West’s unbeaten season in jeopardy against visiting East Islip.
Madden completed a hat trick by scoring both the tying and go-ahead goals in a span of 1:40 as the Bulls came from behind for a 4-2 Suffolk V victory in substantial wind at Smithtown West’s Pratt Field. All four of their goals came off corner kicks.
It keeps the Bulls (13-0, 12-0), the defending Long Island Class AA champions, on track for the top seeding when the postseason begins in two weeks.
To see Madden after his first score, a left footer in front of the net of James Martino’s lefty corner, was a sight of pure elation as he raced to the corner and then up the sideline with his teammates trailing him. And the celebration after each subsequent goal topped the others, and with good reason. Before Monday, Madden had never scored a varsity goal.
“It’s the biggest game I’ve ever seen him play,” said senior Jake Hutter, whose right-footed corner kicks found the head of Madden for his second and third goals.
“Today was my day to find the back of the net,” Madden said. “[Martino and Hutter] were really the ones who found me on runs and I just attacked the goal.”
Or as Martino put it: “He just wanted it more then anyone else.”
Smithtown West’s one-goal lead was wiped out when East Islip’s possession started with a Matt Benavides' breakaway and ended with Jayden Torres put a crossing pass on Anthony Mariani’s foot right in front of goal. East Islip (7-5, 7-5) went up 2-1 when Joe Carlino scored off a high bounding ball in front of the Bulls’ goal with 19:35 to play.
Smithtown West had a stiff wind at its backs as it attacked the south goal in the second half and it proved a huge asset.
“The wind there keeps pushing the ball and the goalie is thinking ‘can I get there?’ ” Smithtown West coach A.J. Gerke said. “But the combination of the wind with the spin on the ball just turns it into a projectile at the goal. All it needs is a touch and we got three of them [in the second half].”
All three came in a matter of 14:27. Hutter had a deep arcing corner to the back post that Madden headed in with 14:18 left. Less than two minutes later, Hutter delivered another perfect corner, this time with less curve and to the front post.
“We like him up front on the set pieces because he plays like a man,” Gerke said. “There are big, physical guys in the box.”
Martino found Brandon Camargo for the Bulls' fourth goal with 9:51 to play.
A year ago, Smithtown lost in the state semifinals. This year, it is looking to take things farther.
“We’re looking to get a ring,” Hutter said. “Without a ring, I don’t think this season gets the [ending] it deserves.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
