Second-seeded Middletown South, No. 18 in the NJ.com Top 20, defeated 15th-seeded Pemberton 7-1 in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3 playoffs in Middletown behind a hat trick from Luke Strada.

Middletown South led 4-0 at halftime before outscoring Pemberton 3-1 in the second half. Middletown South controlled the match, outshooting Pemberton 20-2.

Mason Petke, Gian Luca Zito and Jack Cohen each added a goal for Middletown South.

Middletown South (13-3-1) will host seventh-seeded Long Branch in the quarterfinals on Friday at a time to be announced.

Pemberton fell to 4-13 on the season.

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