Lange named to All-New England Team
NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University junior defensive end Shane Lange (Branford, Conn.) has been selected to the 2010 New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England Team.
Lange racked up a conference-high and single-season school-record 12.5 sacks, which placed him in a three-way tie for third-place in Division III (as of Nov. 13). He led the Seahawks and finished tied for 13th in the league with 82 tackles, led the league in tackles for loss (18.0), and tied for the NEFC lead with a single-season school-record four forced fumbles. For his career, Lange has 17.0 sacks, which is four behind Ben Jarvis' (1997-2000) Salve Regina record of 21.0. Following the season, Lange was named to the All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division First Team, one year after being selected to the Second Team.
"This is a wonderful honor for Shane," said Salve Regina first-year head coach Bob Chesney. "Shane worked extremely hard all season and was a key reason we were able to rebound from a slow start and finish with a winning record. He drew double and triple teams every game and still managed to get to the quarterback. He truly is one of the finest athletes I have ever coach and is someone who is going to draw serious All-America consideration not just this year, but next year as well."
Led by Chesney, the 2010 Salve Regina University football team posted its best record in a decade and closed the season on a five-game win streak, its longest since 1999. The Seahawks rallied back from a 1-4 start to finish the season with a record of 6-4 - their highest win total since 2000 - and their first plus-.500 record since 2001, when they finished 4-4. Salve Regina ended its season ranked No. 10 in the New England Division III Football Poll - the first time it finished a season ranked since 2000.
Defensively, Salve Regina was only team in the NEFC to allow less than 100 yards rushing/game (94.3) while posting a league-best +14 in turnover margin; it was one of only two schools (Endicott) to finish above +10. The Seahawks also sacked opposing signal-callers a league-high 34 times, which was nine more than its closest competitor (Endicott, 25). Nationally, the Seahawks rank ninth in scoring defense, 10th in total defense, 11th in pass efficiency defense (91.79) and turnover margin, and 12th in sacks.
Lange was one of eight student-athletes from NEFC schools selected to the team, joining Kevin Eagan of NEFC Champion Endicott, Anthony Pappagallo and James McCarthy of Framingham State, Jim Bower and Dan Weamer of Maine Maritime, Matt Alksninis of Curry, and Phil Tsopanides of Western New England. Overall, 31 student-athletes represent 21 different teams were selected to the team.
Lange will be honored at the New England Football Writers Banquet on Thursday, December 9 at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, Mass.
2010 New England Football Writers Division II/III All-New England Team
Defensive Line: Daniel Allen (Southern Conn. State), Daniel Canina (Williams), Kevin Eagan (Endicott), A.J. Knibbs (Mount Ida), Shane Lange (Salve Regina)
Linebackers: Walter Fallas (Trinity), Ken Goodwin (Springfield), Joe Gumberwicz (Norwich), Terrence Holley (American International), Scott Loiseau (Merrimack)
Defensive Backs: Desmond Anderson (New Haven), Harry Melendez (Trinity), Anthony Pappagallo (Framingham State), Phil Tsopanides (Western New England)
Quarterbacks: Shane Brozowski (Castleton State), Pat Moffitt (Williams)
Running Backs: Jim Bower (Maine Maritime), Shea Dwyer (Wesleyan), Victor Jones (New Haven)
Wide Receivers: David Canney (Assumption), Nick Lynch (Mount Ida), James McCarthy (Framingham State)
Tight End: Chris Hunt (Trinity)
Offensive Line: Tyler LaPierre (WPI), Kevin Rose (Williams), Matt Sidebottom (Assumption), Dave Stedman (New Haven), Dan Weamer (Maine Maritime)
Placekicker: Matt Rawson (Amherst)
Punter: Matt Alksninis (Curry)
Return Specialist: Stephan Neville (Stonehill)