Joseph Jino Yang's goal in 66th minute helps Manhasset boys soccer advance in Nassau Class AA playoffs
Joseph Yang of Manhasset dribbles the ball against Mepham players during the second half of a Class AA first-round boys soccer playoff game on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in Manhasset. Credit: Kelvin Loarca
Manhasset’s Nick Sforza tapped a pass over to teammate Joseph Jino Yang, who was waiting on his left inside the 18-yard box. Yang took a touch to move the ball onto his left foot before firing Manhasset’s first shot on goal with around 19 minutes left in the game.
Save. The shot went directly at goalkeeper Frank Giovanniello.
Yang didn’t know it then, but in a game where neither side bent an inch to the other, he’d get another chance minutes later when freshman Benjamin McCormack lofted a pass over the top to Yang.
“I missed the first one with my left foot, so I was a little nervous,” Yang said. “This time I calmed myself down, and I just placed it into the corner.”
Yang’s goal in the 66th minute, aided by a breakdown in communication from Mepham, was one of the only mistakes either team made. But Manhasset took advantage, and that proved to be enough.
No. 5 Manhasset defeated No. 12 Mepham, 1-0, at home in the first round of the Nassau Class AA playoffs. Manhasset (11-2-2) advances and will travel to No. 4 South Side in the quarterfinal round Friday at 2 p.m.
“It feels amazing,” Yang said. “These are 29 of my best friends. I can’t wait to face South Side on Friday, and I know we’re going to go far this year.”
Both midfields, led by Mepham’s Jeronimo Norena and eighth grader Sean Harkins and Manhasset’s Sforza, McCormack and Michael Hacikian, battled consistently. Mepham (5-6-6) came out stronger in the first half and won five first-half corners. That finishing touch, however, eluded the Pirates.
“They rose to the occasion tonight,” Mepham coach Zachary Gosse said. “Getting matched up as the last seed and playing [the No. 5 seed], everyone probably had their doubts about us… We gave them a game.”
The result may be very different if not for the stellar defensive play of Connor Madden and the rest of Manhasset’s defensive group. Madden impressed from the jump against a high-energy Mepham lineup, helping the Set earn their third consecutive clean sheet and ninth of the season alongside defenders Ivan Bernic, Emmanuel Halkias and Michael LaBarbera.
“Our center back pairing with Manny and Connor Madden, it’s been quality the whole year through,” Manhasset coach Gabe Ramos said. “Connor Madden just brings a level of fearlessness and intensity, and he plays exceptionally clean. You don’t get those often as a coach.”
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.
