The Missouri State men's soccer team (2-1-1) got on the scoreboard early and often in its 4-0 shutout of visiting Centenary (La.) College (0-4-1) today.

Sophomore Heath Melugin opened up the scoring in the 4th minute of play.  He received the ball from Kyle Windmueller on a two-on-one break and tapped the ball into the vacant net.  Senior Johannes Demarzi began the play with a feed ahead to an open Windmueller who dribbled the ball into the box before feeding a wide open Melugin.

The Bears would go up 2-0 on a converted set piece in the 16th minute.  Gerard Barbero hit a corner kick into the box finding an open David Buckenheimer, who headed the ball past the Gents' keeper.

Demarzi added the Bears' third goal in the 25th minute as he broke in behind the defense on a ball from Windmueller.  Demarzi crossed the ball from the left side of the net into the lower right corner for his first goal of the season.

Melugin scored his team-leading third goal of the season and second of the match in the 63rd minute.  Demarzi centered the ball into the box where Windmueller mishit a shot that deflected to Melugin.  Melugin drilled the ball into an open net. 

Missouri State goalkeeper Alex Riggs made one save to record his second consecutive shutout. 

The four goals by the Bears is a season high.  Missouri State last scored four goals in the opening round of the 2008 MVC Tournament against Eastern Illinois.

Melugin's two goals ties a career high set last season when he scored twice against Central Arkansas (Oct. 17).  Windmueller (three) and Demarzi (two) are the first Bears to record multiple assists in a match since Windmueller did it against Drake in 2007 (Nov. 10).

The Bears will begin conference play on Saturday as they travel to Omaha, Neb., to face No. 6 Creighton at Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium.  Kickoff in Omaha is set for 7:00 p.m.