DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - - The offense broke out for a season high five goals as the 23^rd ranked Wilmington University men's soccer team shut out Mercy, 5-0, on the road in nonconference action on Wednesday.

Theo Faillon recorded his second career hat trick as a Wildcat while Michiharu Takanashi added two goals to complete the scoring. Emil Lollike made a season's best 11 saves in goal for his third shutout of the season. The Wildcats are now 6-1-3 overall on the season.

The scoring started early for the Wildcats as Michiharu Takanashi scored his first of the game just 2:27 into the contest. Mylan Le Baut did well to track back and win a ball and then Shuntaro Morimoto played Takanashi into the top of the box. Michiharu beat the goalkeeper to the ball and one-touched the ball over the top for the 1-0 lead.

Theo Faillon then scored his first of the game in the 15^th minute, finishing off a strong through ball from Alex Tarway. Isaac Simic won a challenging header on the back line and Alex Tarway collected the ball at midfield. He then feathered a ball onto the foot of Faillon at the 30-yard line and Faillon was in alone on the keeper. He slid it under the keeper for his sixth of the year.

Alex Tarway dialed up another beautiful pass in the 19^th minute, this time over the top into the box to Takanashi. Takanashi got to it but was then bodied down by the goalkeeper and the Wildcats were awarded a chance from the spot. Theo Faillon finished it off for his second of the game and the 3-0 lead just 18:36 into the match.

The Wildcats were at it again in the 67^th minute, this time scoring off a set piece. Ole Themsfeldt sent an initial ball into the box from in front of his own bench. HE found the head of Tyrese Small who headed it down to an oncoming Takanashi, and he one-time it home for his second of the game and fifth of the season.

Theo Faillon completed his hat trick in the 70^th minute, scoring on another set piece. Takanashi was fouled on the 23-yard line, outside the edge of the penalty box. Faillon took the free kick and bounced it just short of the keeper. Two Wildcats were running across and missed the ball, but caught the attention of the keeper and the ball bounced into the back of the net for his eighth of the year.

Theo Faillon also had the Wildcats' last hat trick, scoring three goals at Bridgeport last season. The last hat trick by someone other than Faillon came in the 2021 season when Pol Romero scored three at Caldwell and Shawn Genus scored three against Southern Connecticut State.

The Wildcats look to carry Wednesday's momentum into their next contest as they travel to Post on Saturday. The Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the East Region and No. 13 in this week's national poll. The two nationally ranked teams are set to kick-off at 3:30 p.m. at LaMoy Field.