PORTLAND, Ore. – Raymundo Mendez has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading six Seattle Pacific University men's soccer selections to the All-GNAC team.
Mendez has been one of the best players in the GNAC since arriving on campus at Seattle Pacific in 2023. He was named 2023 GNAC Newcomer of the Year after a remarkable debut season. He scored 13 goals, had two assists, and 28 points a season ago. Mendez put up similar numbers in 2024 and became the best player in the conference.
Mendez's 2024 was spectacular. He scored 13 goals for the Falcons to lead the GNAC. He scored two more goals than So Nagano of Montana State University Billings. Mendez scored two game-winners for SPU. The first came at Simon Fraser on Oct. 17 in SPU's 2-1 victory over the Red Leafs. He did it again last weekend, scoring against Northwest Nazarene in a 1-0 win for the Falcons.
Mendez added three assists in 2024 on his way to 29 points for the Falcons. He led the GNAC in points with six more than the closest player. Mendez's average of 1.71 points per game ranks first in the GNAC and is tied for 13th in the country. Along with his 2024 Player of the Year Award, Mendez was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection. Mendez totaled 26 goals in his two seasons at SPU, ending up 21st in conference history despite playing just two seasons in the league. Mendez's pace of 0.74 goals per game was fifth best in GNAC history.
"Ray's impact statistically over his two years here has been incredible," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "He has raised the standards for this program and has set an example every day with his professionalism, attitude, and quality. He couldn't be more deserving of this honor."
Connor Tollan joins Mendez as a First Team All-GNAC selection in 2024. He scored five goals and led the GNAC in assists with eight this season. Tollan is tied for 27th in the country in assists. He finished the year with 18 points.
Diego Pena-Salgado has been named a Second Team All-GNAC selection. He appeared in 12 matches, scored twice, and dished out an assist. He scored against Westminster on Sept. 21 in a 3-0 win for the Falcons. He added another goal in a 6-1 victory of Saint Martin's on Oct. 3. Pena-Salgado was named GNAC Honorable Mention a season ago.
First-year standout
Carter Gay has been named to the All-GNAC Second Team. He became a goal-scoring threat early on and finished the year with four goals. Gay's first career goal was a game-winner against Regis on Sept. 19. He had another game-winner against Saint Martin's on Oct. 3. Gay scored on four of his six shots on goal in 2024.
JJ Diaz joins the All-Conference team as a GNAC Honorable Mention. He put together a solid season for the Falcons. Diaz scored three goals, including a game-winner against Saint Martin's on Oct. 19. He added three assists to his totals and finished the year with nine points.
Judah Johnston finishes his career with the Falcons as a GNAC Honorable Mention. Johnston scored three times in 2024. He dished out three assists and finished the year with nine points. Johnston's been named to the GNAC All-Academic team four times as well.
"I know how important these guys are to our team, so it's always an honor when they are recognized for their contributions by other coaches," Sakuda said. "Each played a huge part and made significant contributions this year."
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