SEATTLE – The United Soccer Coaches announced its All-Region teams on Tuesday, with Seattle Pacific University men's soccer standout
Raymundo Mendez being named a Second Team selection.
"Ray was exceptional, and had a season deserving of this honor," head coach
Kevin Sakuda said. "We know how important Ray is to our team. It is always nice when other coaches recognize his quality."
Mendez's list of accomplishments with the Falcons is long. His 2024 season includes a Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year award and a unanimous First Team selection. He was named D2CCA First Team All-West Region and was an All-American nominee. Now, Mendez is Second Team All-West Region.
Mendez's 2024 was spectacular. He scored 13 goals for the Falcons to lead the GNAC. 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 against Northwest Nazarene, 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 12th in the country.
His 2023 season was noteworthy as well. Mendez was named 2023 GNAC Newcomer of the Year after a remarkable debut season. He scored 13 goals. The Columbia Basin transfer tied for the second most goals in the GNAC. Mendez added two assists and 28 points. He had the third most points in the conference as well.
Mendez had three separate stretches of scoring goals in three consecutive games in 2023. He closed the season strong, scoring five goals in the final three matches, including a hat trick at Western Oregon that earned him GNAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Mendez totaled 26 goals in his two seasons at SPU, finishing 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.
Mendez worked his way into the SPU men's soccer record books. It's the fourth-best career goals average in SPU history. Mendez averaged 1.62 points per game with the Falcons. He ranks seventh all-time in that category.
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