Joe Carlino's hat trick, JJ Kilfoil's strong goalkeeping help East Islip boys soccer beat Deer Park
East Islip goalkeeper JJ Kilfoil makes the save during a Suffolk League III boys soccer game against Deer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 in Deer Park. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Both East Islip and Deer Park’s boys soccer teams entered Wednesday’s match needing one point to qualify for the Suffolk Class AA playoffs. After Deer Park’s Saul Peraza scored for the Falcons in the 13th minute, it looked like East Islip’s best chance to book its playoff ticket could come in its senior day season finale against Bellport.
Then, in the 53rd minute, East Islip goalkeeper JJ Kilfoil dove to his left to deny a good header from Lucas Castro. Kilfoil quickly got up, navigated traffic and punted the ball toward teammate Joe Carlino.
“I knew all game that he was free up there, and my leg was stronger than usual today,” Kilfoil said.
Carlino, one of just eight seniors for East Islip, is a captain who coach Greg Johnson said the team “looks up to.” He also told his young team, trailing at halftime, to “play like a senior.”
What does that mean? Allow Carlino’s play to explain.
Carlino lofted a beautiful shot into the top left corner from the opposite end of the 18-yard box to tie the game. He followed it up with goals in the 71st and 78th minutes to complete a second-half hat trick, handing East Islip a 3-1 road win over Deer Park in Suffolk’s League III to clinch a playoff spot.
“He works so hard. Even when we have ‘off days,’ he never takes a day off practice,” Johnson said. “To see him rewarded today was pretty special.”
East Islip’s boys soccer coach Greg Johnson described goalkeeper JJ Kilfoil as the team’s “rock.” He lived up to the praise Wednesday. Nine saves for the junior. The save on the header spurred counter-attack that led to Joe Carlino’s tying goal. https://t.co/dQ2B9052em
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) October 15, 2026
Highlights from Deer Park v East Islip - Some lovely footwork from DP’s Mychael Lainez - EI’s Joe Carlino scores his 2nd goal; 3 shots in 3 secs - Awesome hustle from DP’s Deniz Jusuf, Lainez Omar Ellheib to block shots - Carlino completes hat trick, heads Chase Engel’s cross https://t.co/McFxSpCd6o
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) October 15, 2026
Carlino’s second goal came off a long throw-in from Justin Hernandez, jumping to head the ball. After hitting the crossbar, Deer Park goalkeeper Ayaan Asif blocked the rebound but couldn’t stop a third consecutive shot by Carlino for the go-ahead goal. Chase Engel’s cross found Carlino’s head to complete the hat trick.
“I knew I had to step up as a senior,” Carlino said. “Being able to go into senior day with all my friends who don’t normally play, being able to just play, feels great.”
Kilfoil was brilliant in goal, saving nine shots for East Islip (5-3-3). Senior captain Brennan Grieve played solid defense in front of him while freshman Andrew Trifaro provided relentless pressure off the bench.
Deer Park (5-6-1) now has a pivotal game Monday at Northport after the Falcons also failed to clinch a playoff spot against Bellport last week. Deer Park must beat or tie the Tigers, who defeated the Falcons 4-1 earlier this season in a rematch of the 2025 county championship.
“We’re have some kids back from last year with some experience, so we’re going to lean on those guys going into Northport,” Deer Park coach Ryan Argenziano said. “We’ve had two chances now to get it done, and we haven’t. And our backs are against the wall.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
