West Des Moines, IA – Four days following their first fixture, the Des Moines Menace (3-1-0) and Sunflower State FC (1-3-0) took to the pitch again, this time at Valley Stadium.

Looking to avenge its first loss of the season, the Menace pressured Sunflower State from the onset. Cornering the opposition, Des Moines snatched the ball deep in Sunflower State’s half. From the center channel in the 30th minute, Menace maestro Yoshi Okawa (M | Tokyo, Japan) threaded the needle to Dominick Bachstein (F | Malvern, PA). A carbon copy from the Menace’s home opener, Bachstein delivered the opening goal of the night. With his back to the keeper on the edge of the box, Bachstein brushed the ball with his heel for a crafty finish to give Des Moines the 1-0 advantage.

In the waning minutes of the opening half, the Menace would strike again. Quality possessions by Andrew Shaffer (M | Columbus, OH) and Luke Husakiwsky (Davidson, NC) set up an on-charging Mere Escobar (F | Austin, TX). Nearing the goal line, Escobar unleashed a wicked, top shelf shot from just outside the far post for his first goal of the season.

Advancing to the 82nd minute, where the Menace reserves got a chance to shine. Picking off Sunflower State’s throw in, Ty Duax (F/M | Ankeny, IA) methodically carved a path through a trio of defenders to earn the green light to fire. Drilling the upper right shelf, Duax made quick work in his home, Menace debut. Conceding a goal just minutes later, Des Moines would put a stamp on the match with one last goal in extra time. Textbook movement from Sam Green (M | Bromley, England) fed the ball in stride to Blake Pipken (F | Houston, TX), who lined a left-footed shot past Sunflower State’s keeper to cement the Menace’s 4-1 victory.

Menace Marks

Metronet Man of the Match: Mere Escobar (F | Austin, TX)

Goals: ’30 (Bachstein), 46’ (Escobar), ’82 (Duax), 94’ (Pipken)

Assists: ’30 (Okawa), ’94 (Green)

Did You Know?

• 9 different players have scored a goal this season
• Yoshi Okawa now has four assists
• Ramy Atia (GK | Des Plaines, IL) made his Menace debut

Up Next:

The Menace go toe-to-toe with the Santafé Wanderers in Kansas City, Kansas on Wednesday, June 4. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Durwood Soccer Stadium. The match will be streamed on SportsEngine Play.