Both the Des Moines Menace Premier Development League (PDL) and Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) teams strung together wins on the road this weekend.

PDL: Menace continues strong form heading into Open Cup

The PDL squad, on the road in St. Louis taking on the Heartland Division-rival Lions, had a goal on either side of halftime from Mark Heath-Preston and PDL Top-20 prospect Elvir Ibisevic, respectively, to sit at 2-0-0 with a 2-0 victory.

Heath-Preston opened the scoring for Des Moines in Saturday’s fixture with the Lions in the 20th minute, knocking home a cross from Austin Polster with his noggin.

Ibisevic touched home a cross from Christian Okeke in the 73rd minute.

The goals were the second of the season for both, with either’s first coming in U.S. Open Cup play. Heath-Preston scored the equalizer in a 2-1 win over FC Wichita May 11 in Kansas, and Ibisevic notched the second in a 2-0 win over United Soccer League-side Tulsa Roughnecks the week following.

The Menace is undefeated in eight straight against the Lions (6-0-2) dating back to July 6, 2013. In its last 10 regular-season matches overall, Des Moines is undefeated — a new franchise record. Its last loss came at the hands of Thunder Bay, 2-0, on June 19, 2015.

Tonight, the teams combined for 31 fouls and seven cautions — something not uncommon for the rivals. In 2013, in three games, the teams combined for 80 fouls, 20 cautions and three ejections. The last regular-season meeting in 2013 resulted in 37 fouls – the highest total in the series history.

Des Moines will be at home for two this week, hoping to pull another “Cupset” over USL opposition. San Antonio FC, coming in with a four-game winless streak, will make the trek to Valley Stadium for the U.S. Open Cup third round match on Wednesday.

Saturday, the Menace will host Heartland Division expansion side Kokomo Mantis FC, out of Kokomo, Ind. Kokomo is off to a blazing start, 2-0-0 with an aggregate 6-0 scoreline across its first two games.

WPSL: Menace open season with rout

Nicole Pearson netted a brace and added an assist in a 4-0 romping of the Quad Cities Eagles Friday night in Davenport to open the regular season.

Pearson, who tallied her lone two goals of the season against Quad Cities in the 6-1 win last season on June 13, scored on either of half (23rd and 46th minute) and added an assist on the Menace’s third goal in the 34th minute.

The Menace will be looking to continue with the potent offense. The women will hopefully be able to put a 3-5-2 — its first losing record in three years of existence — behind them as they continue to move within the WPSL Heartland Division.

Des Moines came in with the chance to take the series lead on Quad Cities. The teams split each of the meetings in 2013 and 2015.

Hannah Evans (19th minute) and Sarah Brandt (34th minute) knocked in the Menace’s other goals.

The Eagles are the only in-state opponent for the Menace’s PDL and WPSL sides. In previous years, the only other opposition from Iowa the Menace faced was the Sioux City Breeze (1994-1999), a part of the United States International Soccer League (USISL) which became the PDL.

Up next, Des Moines will have the opportunity for franchise win no. 25. The Menace, 24-13-2 in four seasons on the women’s side, will host the Kansas City Courage Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.