Valparaiso University men’s soccer senior Rafael Mentzingen (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Bryan) has been recognized for his well-roundedness as one of two student-athletes featured in this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight presented by Enterprise Bank and Trust Company.

Mentzingen has thrived in all three phases of the Valpo Athletic Department’s mission during his time on campus, excelling in competition, in the classroom and in the community. An economics major and theology minor, Mentzingen owns an impressive 3.87 grade point average.

Mentzingen has served the community through his work with the Detroit Fieldhouse, the #oneValpo diversity campaign, St. Baldrick’s, “They Often Cry Outreach” and the Valpo Parks Department. He is active on campus as a member of the Valpo Economics Club and the Valpo International Student Organization in addition to his role as a team captain.  

On the field, Mentzingen has registered a team-high 27 shots over six games this season. Last year, he was a member of the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second-Team in addition to attaining first-team all-conference and all-tournament team accolades. A member of the 2018 Preseason All-MVC squad, Mentzingen shared the team lead with nine goals, which ranks seventh in program history for goals in a single season. Perhaps the most noteworthy moment of his collegiate career came in the final game of the 2017 season, an impressive goal against Drake that led off SportsCenter on ESPN that evening. This season, he earned all-tournament team recognition for his play against quality Big Ten competition at the University of Wisconsin Tournament, which took place over Labor Day weekend.

Mentzingen and his teammates begin conference play with a road match against Missouri State on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.