A pair of Valparaiso University men’s soccer players have received recognition as members of the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Association All-West Region Teams.

Junior Rafael Mentzingen (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Bryan) was tabbed all-region second team, while sophomore Adan Garcia (Dallas, Texas / Episcopal School of Dallas) picked up third-team honors.

Mentzingen shared the team lead with nine goals, which ranks tied for seventh in program history for goals in a single season. He totaled 57 shots and placed 25 on goal, both team watermarks. Mentzingen, who accumulated 19 points, scored a pair of game-winning goals, the only Crusader with multiple match-winners this season. The Valpo junior beat the entire Drake back line on his own to score an impressive goal in the first round of the MVC Tournament, a play that led off the Scott Van Pelt Sports Center on ESPN that evening.

Garcia enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign, scoring nine goals to share the team lead while also pacing the squad with 22 points, both of which rank seventh in single-season program history. He became just the second Valpo player since the start of the 2002 season to accumulate 20 points in a year. Garcia turned in the ninth hat trick in program history in a 5-2 win over Western Illinois, Valpo’s first hat trick in a road match since 1985.

The Crusaders bring back the bulk of their team, including Mentzingen and Garica, for the 2018 season