Earlham College

Mendez joins the Quakers from Garland TX and plans to study Neuroscience. Growing up she was a fan of the Brazilian women’s national team and specifically Marta. “She helped to pioneer women’s sports and her being a latin woman was kind of an inspiration to me when I was younger to see someone like myself on the screen doing all these cool things.” Growing up in Garland her parents shaped her the most, “They always pushed me to find the best in myself and to search for that in other people too.” A very strong and independent thinker, Mariana wants to really push her boundaries in college and explore. She started playing soccer young and her parents couldn’t get the ball off her foot. Her grandfather played semi professionally in Mexico and her dad would tell her stories of watching him play as a kid. “I take a lot of inspiration from my grandpa and him working so hard and the sacrifice he made to bring his family to the states and give up soccer to have a better life.” Part of Mendez’s philosophy as a player is being willing to make mistakes in order to learn. “It is ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. What did I learn from this experience and what can I do better next time?” Mariana is a hardworking midfielder with great vision and ECWS is excited to see what she can bring to the program within her first year!

Why Earlham?

“What makes Earlham so special is the people there and the community. When I got on campus it already felt like somewhere that felt like home and it didn’t feel like I was 15 hours away from home. There is a comfort that the community brings.”