AFNORTH scores early and often against Baumholder

AFNORTH striker Alexander Teichl holds off a challenge from Baumholder center back Alyssa Meas during a May 2, 2026, match at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

BAUMHOLDER, Germany – The AFNORTH Lions still haven’t forgotten the sting of their Division III semifinal defeat during last year’s DODEA European soccer championships.

In that one, the Lions led Alconbury for most of the first half, only to concede an equalizer right before the break. AFNORTH then saw the match get away from it in the second half.

Returner Alexander Teichl said that loss is driving the Lions this season, as they are one of the best boys teams in the small-school tier. AFNORTH showed that during a 7-0 victory against a co-ed Baumholder squad on Saturday afternoon. The Lions girls team didn’t play Saturday.

“After the first half, we lost our minds, and we didn’t play like how we were supposed to play,” Teichl said. “From last year, we’re going to be more motivated to keep our minds up.”

The visitors improved to 3-1 on the campaign. They also bounced back from their lone defeat of the season against defending champion Ansbach on April 18 – the last time the Lions were on the field.

Teichl said AFNORTH is a much tighter group than they were last spring. While being new to the team, midfielder Tobias Blix concurred.

“Now that I’m here, I can see the connection the team has,” Blix said. “I’m really glad to play for this team.”

AFNORTH forward Joshua Go dribbles around Baumholder goalkeeper Caiden Brech during a May 2, 2026, match at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Baumholder goalkeeper Triston McCormick knocks an AFNORTH corner away during a May 2, 2026, match at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

AFNORTH midfielder Andrea Ludovico shoots during a May 2, 2026, match against Baumholder at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Baumholder midfielder Yadriel Alejandro Velazquez boots a free kick during a May 2, 2026, match at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

AFNORTH midfielder William Hellebust dribbles against Baumholder center back Alyssa Meas during a May 2, 2026, match at Baumholder High School in Baumholder, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Considering AFNORTH’s offensive firepower, it’s easy to see why Blix has enjoyed his team with the outfit from Brunssum, Netherlands.

The Lions average four goals per match. And Saturday was their best performance this season, eclipsing their previous high of six scored in a win over Spangdahlem on March 21.

Blix had himself a game with a pair of goals and assists. The midfielder opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he dribbled through Baumholder’s five-man backline and shot inside the left post, and he added his second in the 14th minute in similar fashion after receiving a pass from William Hellebust.

Between those two goals, Teichl recorded a hat-trick.

It started less than a minute after Blix’s first, as he picked a Buccaneer defender’s pocket and fired home. In the ninth minute, Michael Tkacz crossed from the left wing to a wide-open Teichl in front of the net to make it 3-0. The striker completed the triple when Blix’s long ball put him behind the defense and Teichl beat Brech again in the 13th minute.

After taking a five-goal advantage nearly a quarter of an hour into the contest, coach Manny Duarte pulled his main attacking threats. Joshua Go in the 14th minute and Leonard Boudreau in the 29th minute added the last two goals.

The seven-goal lead at halftime enacted the mercy rule.

“We really want to win offensively,” Teichl said. “We really want to dominate with a high press, get the ball and make (good) passes with the wingers. As a striker, I get the center backs and score goals if there are any chances.”

Baumholder coach Benjamin Davis said the Buccaneers (0-4, 0-4) were aware they faced a tall task against one of the division’s best squads.

Still, he explained the main goal is to continue to enjoy the game while growing. And that evident to him on Saturday.

“We’re learning every day, and we’re getting better every day,” Davis said. “I just hope we’ll just keep hitting those milestones and keep making that progress all the way to the end.”