SSS, West move into JUSA Cup semifinals

Hat tricks by Luis Zeron and Matt Oldham lifted Smithfield-Selma to an 11-0 victory over an inexperienced first-year Princeton team in the opening game of the Johnston County prep boys soccer tournament, The Johnston United Soccer Association Cup. The Spartans exploited the youth of the Bulldogs, in their first year as a program by out-shooting Princeton, 47-0.

Two of Zerons goals were unassisted, and he also added an assist while Elvin Guardado tallied a pair of goals and Chris Dimatto added a pair of assists.

In the nightcap, Jonathon Pedrozo took aqdvantage of a mistake in the North Jophnston backfield midway through the second half to score the winning goal as West Johnston defeated North Johnston, 2-1.

West, which out-played North throughout the first half, took a 1-0 lead on an own goal, when a shot by Trey Andrews was deflected into the net by a Panther defender.

North picked up its intensity in the second half, and tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Hunter Brame, who knocked in a rebound of a shot by Maurico Cortes.

SSS will meet South Johnston this afternoon at 5 in the first seminfinal match, while West takes on defending champion Clayton at 7.

Smithfield-Selma 11, Princeton 0

Goals: SSS—L.Zeron 3, M.Oldham 3, E.Guardado 2, B.Rico, A.Arey, L.Mazzeo

Assists: SSS—C.DiMatto 2, L.Zeron, E.Guardado, C.Acosta.

Saves: PRI—Z.Parker 5, D.West 5.

West Johnston 2, North Johnston 1

Goals: WJO—J.Pedrozo, T.Andrews; NJO—H.Brame.

Saves: WJO—A.Tucker 5; NJO—J.Whitton 8.