by Roger Seepersad - Trinidad Express

St Augustine kept their quest for a clean sweep of titles alive when they defeated Carapichaima in a Coca Cola National InterCol quarterfinal fixture, at Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, yesterday.

’Gustine’, who lost to ’Caps’ at the same stage in last year’s tournament, were able to come away with a 3-0 victory this time around thanks to goals from Dinelle Lopez, substitute Aeion Charles and Stefon Pierre.

The ’Green Machine’ went ahead in the 32nd minute through a corner which Lopez headed into the back of the net after the Carapichaima keeper Akiel Alfred failed to clear. ’Gustine’ could have gone in front much earlier had skipper Jevaughn Vance done more with Vernell Ramirez’s 17th minute pass which left him with only the keeper and defender Dennis Hunte to beat. It was Hunte who came out on top as he made a crucial tackle to keep the Central champs in the game.

Carapichaima also had a good opportunity to go ahead three minutes earlier when Isiah Rivers’ cross was sent wide by Anton Gill, not troubling ’Gustine’ keeper Kerron Jones.

A defensive blunder in the 45th could have given the Green Machine a 2-0 lead at the half. Tevin Dick lost out to Ramirez just outside the penalty area, but Alfred was quickly off his line to make a close range save.

In the second period, however, Carapichaima were hit with a barrage of attacks from ’Gustine’ and it was only a matter of time before the East champs went 2-0 up.

The second goal came when Charles fought his way inside the penalty area and struck a fierce drive that Alfred had no chance of stopping.

And the nail in the coffin came three minutes from time, Pierre doing the honours after another breakdown at the back for Carapichaima.

St Augustine will now face Naparima in the semifinal round on November 26.