HOOKSETT, N.H. - - Three goals in the second half helped the Wilmington University men's soccer team upset No. 6 ranked Southern New Hampshire, 4-0, on the road at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

It is the third straight win for the Wildcats (5-7-2) and a victory against the highest ranked opponent since defeating No. 6 Millersville on August 31, 2022. Only the upset against No. 1 West Chester on September 11, 2019, was against a higher ranked opponent.

On Wednesday, the Wildcats outshot the Penmen (10-2), 24-12, and jumped all over the Penmen from the opening whistle, getting off the first four shots of the game.

The Wildcats broke through in the 29^th minute, as Michiharu Takanashi blasted one past the goalkeeper from atop the 18-yard box, finishing off a laid off pass from Lenny Greifenberg for the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats went into the break with the 1-0 lead, outshooting the Penmen, 8-5, and taking the only corner.

The Wildcats took the first three shots of the second half as well, but it was a counterattack following the Penmen hitting the crossbar that put the Wildcats ahead, 2-0. Theo Faillon collected a second touch off a clearance downfield, playing it over the top to a hard charging Michiharu Takanashi. Takanashi beat the goalkeeper to the ball out of the 18-yard box, flicking it towards the open goal as it rolled in in the 56^th minute.

The Penmen turned the ball over after the ensuing kick-off and Tsubasa Abe darted down the middle of the field. He found Mylan Le Baut on the right side of the box, and his low shot snuck under the goalkeeper just 34 seconds later and the Wildcats led 3-0 in the 56^th minute.

The Wildcats continued to pressure, resulting in a penalty kick opportunity in the 70^th minute after a foul by the keeper. Theo Faillon stepped up and converted his fourth PK of the year, giving the Wildcats the 4-0 lead in the 70^th minute.

The four goals tie the season high for the Wildcats. The Penmen conceded only six goals all season coming into today's match. The Wildcats have now defeated the Penmen in three straight meetings, leading the all-time series, 4-3.

The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, looking for their fourth straight win. The Wildcats host Dominican at the WU Athletics Complex with a 2:30 p.m. opening whistle.