MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Central Arkansas men's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 win over the Memphis Tigers Sunday night. Junior forward Pietro Fontana notched a brace in the win, tallying goals in both halves. 
 
The Bears got going early, putting two shots on goal in the first minute of the game, establishing momentum quickly. That would pay off almost immediately, as Tajio James found Fontana sprinting into the box, and the junior punched it home for his first goal of the game in just the fifth minute.
 
Memphis sought an answer over the next chunk of the first half, putting shots up at various points, but Javier Ramirez was all over the place, making save after save to keep the Tigers out of the net. James and Fontana each had good looks in the 25^th and 27^th minutes, respectively, and the Bears seemed to have all the momentum in the first half. The Tigers found a couple of good looks late in the first, but again, Ramirez stuffed the shot on goal to send the Bears into the halftime up 1-0.
 
The Tigers started the second half with a corner kick, looking to get even on the scoreboard, but the Bears quickly sent the ball back out without a threat. Devonte countered with a shot on goal in the 49^th, but the Memphis keeper was able to stay in front.
 
Both sides battled back and forth in the second half, but shots were rare as time ticked away. The match was primarily played in the middle of the field, as both defenses settled in. But finally, a corner kick by Central Arkansas stayed in the offensive third, where Andres Robles was able to lift a cross over to Kevin Ventura, who found the header to stretch the lead.
 
With the Tigers on their heels, the Bears were able to press the advantage, and a shot by Abram de Armas fell at the feet of Fontana, and he punched in his second goal to increase the lead to three. It marked the fourth multi-goal game of Fontana's career, and the third-straight season with a multi-goal match for the junior.
 
Ramirez was again spectacular in goal, making seven saves for his second shutout of the season. He was particularly impressive tonight, making difficult, diving saves throughout the match to keep the Tigers without a score.
 
Central Arkansas will be back in action at home on Thursday, hosting Oral Roberts. Kickoff against the Golden Eagles is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex.