No one could tell that the defending European Division I champions were short-handed on Saturday after the Ramstein Royals blanked Baumholder 5-0 in a Region II contest.

Fabrice Jordan scored twice, and Jonathan McClouth added a goal and two assists as the Royals, playing without midfielder Dillon Wadsack, posted their second shutout in as many games. Wadsack, also a member of the U.S. Albert Schweitzer Tournament basketball team, missed the game to play in the tournament opener.

"The Royals used the speed of Alex Lee and … Jordan to spread the Bucs’ defense all game," Ramstein coach Dan Nukala said in an e-mail. Ramstein led just 1-0 at halftime, due in part to the defensive prowess of Baumholder’s All-Europe sweeper, Prince Owusu.

Ramstein improved to 2-0 going into Thursday’s 2 p.m. game at Heidelberg in a replay of last season Division I title game. Baumholder fell to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in Region II.

In other weekend boys games of note:

Kaiserslautern 1, Wiesbaden 0: On Saturday at Kaiserslautern, Patrick Burns scored off a second-half header from Erik Robinson to give Kaiserslautern the victory in its season opener.

According to Kaiserslautern coach Ken Robinson, the victory was a fresh start for the Red Raiders.

"The score suggests a close game," Robinson said in an e-mail Saturday, "but K-town dominated much of the game thanks to solid midfield control. This is a brand-new team this year, with lots of new young talent."

Robinson identified Anthony Caceres and Erik Langholz as the organizers of the shutout defense, and Burns and Jorge Rodriguez as the players who dominated the midfield against Wiesbaden (0-1-1 overall, 0-1-0 in Region II ).

Hohenfels 4, Patch 2: On Friday at Hohenfels, Devon Fluker scored twice and assisted on a third goal as the Tigers downed their D-I guests.

Andre Walker and Tim Salerno scored the other goals for Hohenfels (2-0 overall and in the region).

Josh Camacho and Jacob Camacho scored for Patch (0-2, 0-1).

Sigonella 8, Aviano 1: On Saturday at Sigonella, Ben Jacks enjoyed the game of his life when he scored four goals and assisted on two others.

Tyler Reed and Patrick Burkes each scored twice for Sigonella (1-1-1 in Region IV play).

According to Sigonella coach Ross Brand, All-Europe keeper Conor Quinn was called on to make just two saves behind a defense run by Andrew Barclay and Brett Gilbert.

Bitburg 2, Mannheim 1: On Saturday at Mannheim, Brandon Massie’s unassisted second-half goal proved the game-winner in a Region II matchup. Tim O’Donnell of Bitburg and Dennis Mahr of Mannheim each notched first-half goals.

Heidelberg 7, Ansbach 0: On Saturday at Ansbach, seven Lions found the net in the Region III courtesy-rule victory.

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