Zeiko Lewis and his Charleston Battery team-mates achieved an impressive hat-trick at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday night.

Charleston beat USL Championship rivals and hosts North Carolina FC 3-0 to lift the Southern Derby Cup for the third successive year, with Bermuda winger Lewis assisting in his team’s opening tally.

“We always want to win every game, especially these rivalry matches,” Lewis said.

“Playing for the cup makes it that much more competitive as well, so any chance to win something we want to.”

Romario Piggott broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after turning in Lewis’s angled cross from close range at the back post.

Nicque Daley doubled Charleston’s advantage in the 68th minute from a corner before Stavros Zarokostas pounced in the 81st minute to put the game to bed.

“Anytime you have an opportunity to win a cup, you have to take that chance and take the bull by the horns to get the win,” Mike Anhaeuser, the Charleston coach, commented on the team’s website.

“The guys stepped up and did a fantastic job, beat a very good team, and we’re taking back the Southern Derby cup and keeping it for one more year.”

The shutout win stretched Charleston’s unbeaten streak dating back to August 5 to four matches and leaves Anhaeuser’s team four points adrift of unbeaten Group H leaders Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“It’s always a great feeling to win the cup,” Lewis added.

“It’s our rival teams and we always want to win those big matches.

“It gives us and our fans bragging rights as the best of the Carolinas, which is an added bonus.

“Regardless of that, what’s even more massive was the three points. Not only does it give us some breathing room in our group, but brings us closer to the top of the table.”

Charleston will host bottom side The Miami FC, who remain winless this season, at their Patriots Point Soccer Complex on August 26.