This DODDS-Europe Division I boys soccer race has almost everything: intrigue and unpredictability; close games and dominant performances.

The only thing it's missing is a leader.

Several Division I contenders reasserted their place in the crowded championship scrum this weekend, from rebuilt but still-reigning champion Ramstein to new arrival Naples to upstart Lakenheath.

The tournament is just a month away; clarity seems much further off.

Lakenheath 7, Alconbury 4: Saturday at Alconbury, the visiting Lancers and host Dragons combined for nine second-half goals in a raucous Lakenheath victory. A relatively docile first half ended in an unassuming 1-1 tie before both offenses accelerated their attacks.

Division I Lakenheath, led by prolific scorer Elmer Ramos, simply outgunned the Division III home team. Ramos scored three of the Lancers' seven goals, while Brady Jacobs, Kyle Freaney, Josh Lopez and Chris Miles added one each. Alconbury got one goal apiece from Dylan Howorth, Ethan Currie, Jonah Walzer and Nate Dallaire.

The win breaks a two-game losing streak for Lakenheath, which took 10-6 and 2-0 losses, respectively, to 2014 Division I finalists Kaiserslautern and Ramstein before spring break.

Ramstein 2, Wiesbaden 0: Saturday at Wiesbaden, the defending champion Royals continued to reclaim their temporarily misplaced groove with a steady shutout of the host Warriors.

Emmanuel DeGuzman and Zachary Kersten found the net for the Royals thanks to assists from Dominik Kubas and Conner William.

With almost nobody back from last year's title squad, Ramstein started its season with a loss to Vilseck and a scoreless tie with International School of Brussels.

But more recent results have been more promising; the Royals have now beaten three straight Division I opponents by identical 2-0 scores, including Lakenheath and Kaiserslautern.

Patch 2, Vilseck 0: Saturday at Stuttgart, Germany, the unbeaten Panthers blanked the visiting Falcons. Judge Morgen and David Humphreys scored for Patch, which improved to 3-0 on the season with its second shutout win.

The Panthers' title aspirations will be tested next weekend in Italy, where they'll take on new Division I contenders Naples and Vicenza.

Naples 3, Aviano 1: Saturday at Naples, the Wildcats tuned up for next weekend's Division I showdown with a solid win over the Saints.

Marcello Esposti accounted for all three Naples goals as the Wildcats upgraded the 1-1-1 record it held entering the game to an above-.500 mark.

Kaiserslautern 5, Black Forest Academy 1: Saturday at Kaiserslautern, the Raiders unleashed a four-goal second-half barrage to dispatch the Division II Falcons.

Austin James scored twice and Sean Dunbar and Alexander Dexter scored one goal apiece as Kaiserslautern extended a tenuous 1-0 halftime lead.

The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Raiders, who spent spring break stewing over losses to ISB and Ramstein.

Menwith Hill 3, Brussels 1: Saturday at Menwith Hill, the Mustangs boosted their Division III cred with a tidy win over the Brigands.

Val Evans scored twice and assisted Clay Warner on the third Menwith goal.

Only a May 9 visit from Alconbury remains on the Menwith Hill home schedule before the school closes at school year's end.

Hohenfels goes 2-0: At Hohenfels, the host Tigers pounced on visiting Baumholder and Bitburg, beating the Bucs 8-1 on Friday and the Barons 6-0 on Saturday.

Ben Harrison scored three goals in each game to lead the Hohenfels offense. Kiernan Blouin had a combined five goals and three assists on the weekend.

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