Lansing United midfielder Rafa Mentzingen has been selected as the fourteenth Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2017 NPSL season.
“This award means a lot to me and for Lansing United,” Mentzingen commented. “We are off to a great start and I’m pleased to help the team with goals and good performances.”
The Lansing United standout now has nine goals and one assist in six matches after scoring a brace against Grand Rapids. Currently he is leading the league in goals per game.
“Rafa has continually performed at an elite level this season,” Lansing United Head Coach and GM Nate Miller added. “He thoroughly deserves this award and his teammates are to credit as well. We look forward to Rafa helping propel this team to new heights.”
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mentzingen came to Lansing United after being named an NAIA All-American at Bryan College last fall. Mentzingen has excelled with United this summer and leads the club in nearly every offensive category. He has three multi-goal performances and also leads United in shots with 27 and shots on goal with 13.
Mentzingen currently leads the Midwest Region in goals and has scored in six consecutive NPSL matches, which is a Lansing club record. In two collegiate seasons at Bryan College, Mentzingen had 22 goals and eight assists in 35 matches. He is an incoming transfer to NCAA Division I Valparaiso University.
The winner of this national honor is determined by a vote of media members from across the country. It is awarded every week during the regular season.
