MANCHESTER, N.H. – So. New Hampshire struck three times, twice in the second half, as the 16^th-ranked Penmen defeated Bentley University 3-0 Tuesday night in a Northeast-10 men's soccer match at Larkin Field.

Both teams came into the game in the top-five of the NE-10 standings, the Penmen third with 18 points and Bentley fifth with 15, but it's the hosts who will move up in the standings and into a tie for second with UMass-Lowell.

So. New Hampshire had strong starts to each half, scoring goals early on in each one, and that proved to be the difference in the match.

The first goal came just four minutes in from junior Chris Tsonis, the NE-10's leading goal scorer who netted his 10^th of the season after forcing a turnover. Bentley had some chances during the rest of the half to equalize, shots from senior Eric Ulmer (Woodbury, N.J./Woodbury) and freshman Andrew Fenn (Fort Collins, Co./Rocky Mountain) that required saves.

With a 1-0 lead after 45 minutes, the Penmen quickly added to their lead coming out of halftime on PJ Burnette's goal just 54 seconds in. The goal came off a free kick from Mohamed Toufik and a cross from Ruben Resendes which went to Burnette in the penalty area.

Freshman Miguel Carneiro added the third goal for SNHU in the 84^th minute.

The Penmen have now won seven in a row and their record goes to 10-2 overall and 7-2 in the NE-10, while the Falcons drop to 7-4-1 and 5-3.

Bentley stays on the road for its next match, which is Saturday afternoon against Saint Rose at 1 p.m.