West Des Moines, IA – Opening June with a frantic finish at Santafé, the Des Moines Menace (5-1) took to its home pitch for a Saturday night showdown with Springfield FC (3-3). Averaging 3.5 goals through the first pair of home fixtures, the Menace would up that margin significantly.

Jumping ahead to the 11th minute, where Mere Escobar (F | Austin, TX) drilled the upper right corner from inside the box for his third goal in as many matches. Providing versatility in the midfield minutes later, Escobar placed a perfect through-ball for Dominck Bachstein (F | Malvern, PA) down the far channel, with the striker crossing over the Stags' keeper to put the Menace up 2-0. Escobar and Bachstein have etched their names in the scoresheet in three consecutive matches. The Menace would down a demoralized Springfield side yet again, as Yoshi Okawa’s (M | Tokyo, Japan) shot on goal bounced off the keepers’ gloves, with Bachstein cleaning it up and brushing another ball through. Deeper into the opening half, the Menace would strike yet again. Surrounded by a trio of Springfield defenders, Bachstein guided a pass inside the box for Rentaro Miyakawa (M | Hakodate, Japan). Cutting to his right, Miyakawa had the angle to pierce a ball to the opposite side of the goal to make the score 4-0.

Springfield FC’s lone goal on the night came in the 39th minute, where Jahmal Hector-Ingram got space on a counter to lace it through. In added time, the Menace would pepper a few shots on target and eventually win a corner kick. On the third touch outside the box, Bachstein lofted the ball to the near post for Yoshi Okawa, with Okawa heading an exquisite cross for Joshua Saavedra (M | Cali, Colombia) who knocked-in his second goal of the season.

Des Moines would continue to light up the scoreboard in the second half by netting four goals in a 13-minute span. Yoshi Okawa, Lucas Green (F | London, England), and Luke Husakiwsky (M | Davidson, NC) each connected. The 10th and final goal of the night came from local product, Ty Duax (F | Ankeny, IA) in the 77th minute, putting an exclamation point to a statement of a match.

Menace Marks

Metronet Man of the Match: Dominick Bachstein (F | Malvern, PA)

Goals: 11’ (Escobar), 26’ (Bachstein), 28’ (Bachstein), 36’ (Miyakawa), 45’ (Saavedra), 55’ (Okawa), 60’ (Green), 64’ (Green), 68’ (Husakiwsky), 77’ (Duax)

Assists: 26’ (Escobar), 45’ (Okawa), 55’ (Hagan), 64’ (Husakiwsky), 68’ (Hagan)

Bud & Mary’s Goals for Good Tracker: 17 = $7,140 donation to Easterseals Iowa

Did You Know?

• Menace tied franchise record for goals in a single match. On July 17, 2015, the Menace tallied 10 goals over Chicago Fire U-23. The 10 goals are the most scored in a single match since joining USL League Two in 2019.
• The Menace have outscored its opponents, 17-3 at home this season.
• Menace’s 27 goals are fourth-most in USL League Two.
• Dominick Bachstein and Mere Escobar have scored a goal in three consecutive matches.

Up Next:

The top two teams in the Great Plains Division square-off at Valley Stadium on Saturday, June 14 as the Des Moines Menace face Peoria City. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The match will be streamed on SportsEngine Play. 

Community Kickback: Pride Presented by ISEA

Make your plans and arrive early, as the first 500 fans through the gates at Valley Stadium receive a free bucket hat! During the match the Menace will sport custom designed theme jerseys. Fans will also be able to participate in a live jersey auction featuring player-worn and autographed theme jerseys benefitting Iowa Safe Schools.