West Des Moines, IA – Fireworks were not the only thing on display during Independence Day weekend. Coming off a 0-0 draw at Peoria City earlier in the week, the Des Moines Menace (10-1-1) were determined to produce a winning result and claim the Great Plains Division championship on its home pitch. Sunflower State FC (4-6-1), the only team to defeat the Menace on the season, stood in their path.

From the first touch, the Menace were aggressive. Winning a corner kick in the third minute, Andrew Shaffer (M | Columbus, OH) lofted an accurate in-swinger to the center of the box. Once it landed, Paul Jones (D | Columbia, SC) and Rentaro Miyakawa (M | Hakodate, Japan) each had a chance to make contact on the ball, with Miyakawa outstretching Jones to tally the first score. As rain began to drench the pitch late in the first half, Des Moines drained another goal. Creating from the inner channel, Ryusei Shimonishi (D | Osaka, Japan) blistered a ball that glanced off of Sunflower State's keeper. Finding himself in striking distance again, fellow countrymen Rentaro Miyakawa collected the rebound and guided the putback through for his second goal on the night, and fourth of the season.

After patiently waiting out a lightning delay, both sides had multiple chances at goal in the second half. With time winding down, the Menace capped the night with an electric sequence. Slicing past defenders on the far channel in the 81st minute, Ali Ramadan (M | Algonquin, IL) timed a perfect cross for Dominick Bachstein (F | Malvern, PA) in stride. Bachstein proceeded to nail the ball with his left foot for his ninth goal on the season and solidify a 3-1 result for the Menace.

Menace Marks

Metronet Man of the Match: Rentaro Miyakawa (Hakodate, Japan)

Goals: 3' & 43' (Miyakawa), 81' (Bachstein)

Assists: 81' (Ramadan)

Bud & Mary’s Goals for Good Tracker: 30 = $12,600 donation to Easterseals Iowa

Did You Know?

• Outscored opponents 23-5 at Valley Stadium *Excludes Friendly*
• Clinched postseason berth for 11th consecutive season
• Currently on nine-match unbeaten streak

Up Next:

The Menace return to Valley Stadium on Saturday, July 12 and host the St. Louis Ambush in their regular season finale. Kick-off is scheduled 7:00 pm, and the match will be streamed on SportsEngine Play. It's Kick Childhood Cancer Night benefitting Unravel Iowa and presented by Iowa Health and Human Services. The first 500 fans will receive a commemorative Leroy Enzugusi bobblehead. The Menace are also partnering with the Food Bank of Iowa for Kick Out Hunger Night presented by Local5.