Westfield State's Mathieu, Stengel Earn Spots On New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star Squad

Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

Westfield State defensive back Josh Mathieu and punter Chris Stengel were selected to the New England Division II/III sportswriters all-star team.

This is the third straight year that two Owls have been selected to the prestigious squad respresenting the best Divison II and Division III players in New England. Linebacker Jay Fielding was a two-time selection and receivers David Benoit and Scott McIntyre were named to the all-star squad in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Mathieu is a four-time all-conference pick and the 2009 New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division defensive player of the year. He leads the NCAA Division III nationally in passes defended per game (2.2). He tied the single-season school record with seven interceptions and set a new school standard with 15 pass breakups.

Mathieu ranks second on the Owls' career charts with 19 interceptions. He holds career school records for pass breakups (38) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (4). He returned interceptions for scores in each of his four years as a starter.

Mathieu led the Owl defense that ranks first nationally in turnover margin and pass efficiency defense and sixth in scoring defense.

Stengel's outstanding punting provided Westfield with good field position the entire season. He ranks 11th nationally in punting average (40.23) and had 26 punts inside the 20-yard line. Stengel averaged 7.5 punts per game while most of the national leaders averaged four punts per game.