Randy Mendoza Bernal spent the past two seasons on the Quince Orchard High School junior varsity boys soccer team. Mendoza Bernal’s chance to shine for the Cougars finally arrived this season and the junior has not disappointed.
This past Monday, Mendoza Bernal made 11 saves in regulation and overtime to post his seventh shutout of the season as Quince Orchard prevailed, 1-0 over Churchill in penalty kicks, in the Montgomery County championship game.
“This year he has been phenomenal,” Quince Orchard Coach Bruno Tejo said. “He really put in the work to get the starting position and it’s been a great year.”
It has been a special season for the Cougars (11-1-1), who are ranked among the Washington area’s top teams as they chase the program’s first-ever regional title and state tournament appearance. Mendoza Bernal has played a large role in the team’s success. On Monday night, his saves including a big one in the second overtime as he reached high and backwards to snag a shot heading for the net.
“That saved us,” Tejo said. “He’s been working hard with his club team, the Laurel Lions, and working with me during practice on different skills. He really has developed a vision for the game and worked on moving the ball and being focused.”
Quince Orchard is the top seed in the Maryland 4A West Region II playoffs and Saturday at 2 p.m. will host either Clarksburg or Gaithersburg in a regional semifinal.
Photo by Lance Polcyn
