Madison Rindos scores winner in double OT to send West Islip girls soccer to state semifinals
West Islip celebrates its win during the state Class AA girls soccer regional championship on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Nyack. Credit: /Kelly Marsh
NYACK — West Islip’s girls soccer season was down to its final seconds.
Trailing by one to John Jay-Cross River, freshman Angelina Hernandez came up clutch. The ninth-grader scored with 49 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
“I knew I had to score," Hernandez said. “It was the last minute, and I really didn’t want to end this season with my favorite team, so I just had to put a foot on it, and it went in.”
The game needed double overtime. With 1:08 remaining before penalty kicks, senior captain Madison Rindos finished the comeback to keep the Lions’ season alive.
Rindos struck the ball with her left foot, and it sailed past the goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner to give the Lions a 2-1 win over John Jay-Cross River in the state Class AA Southeast Regional final Saturday at Nyack High School.
“We needed to get it done,” Rindos said. “We called each other family all year long. At halftime, we said we need to do it for each other. We just don’t want it to be the end.”
West Islip (19-1) will face Northport (17-2) in a state semifinal at Dryden High School at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The teams split their first two meetings, with West Islip winning during the regular season and Northport winning the Suffolk Class AA final.
The Lions received another postseason opportunity through Section XI’s at-large berth.
“We’re beyond excited,” senior Jenna Obloj said of facing Northport again. “We were so fortunate to get the second chance, the second path and we can’t wait.”
The Lions controlled possession in the first half, generating four shots on net and several others that went wide. Obloj and Rindos created multiple chances.
John Jay-Cross River’s Abby Mattiello and sophomore Maye Viders also threatened early, but West Islip’s defense held strong. Seniors Meghan Farrell and Samantha McCormack helped slow down the Wolves’ playmakers.
Viders then struck for John Jay. While falling backward, she scored a goal for the Wolves. The clock read 12:01, with West Islip trailing.
“It’s just a team that doesn’t quit,” West Islip coach Ed Jablonski said. “And even down to the last second, we’re not going to quit. It’s an amazing thing to watch them persevere.”
It went down to the final minute before Hernandez broke through.
“She marks up against some of the best players out there, and she does an amazing job,” Jablonski said. “And then just to get a goal on top of this now is just the icing on the cake for her.”
Rindos’ winner set off a massive celebration, with the West Islip faithful cheering on their squad. The second chance given by the at-large berth is still alive.
“This entire season, we’ve just emphasized staying with each other, staying as a family, and not getting down on each other when it gets tough,” Obloj said.
“We knew that we had to play until the final second," she added. “Anything is possible when you work hard and put your full effort in.”
