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Central star goes Div. I
By FRANK PASTOR BROOKSVILLE -- Lou Fiscella's opinion goes a long way. From Florida to New Jersey, in fact. That is the distance Central graduate Kelly Lubosco will travel to play at NCAA Division I Fairleigh Dickinson. Lubosco will attend the Teaneck, N.J., school on a partial academic scholarship but is guaranteed a spot on the team, coach Peter Gaglioti said. "She's going to have to challenge for a position and playing time," Gaglioti said. "But just because she's not receiving athletic money doesn't mean she's not a part of our team and our program." It was Fiscella's recommendation to Gaglioti, a childhood friend, that set the process in motion. Fiscella coached Lubosco with the Hernando Heat. "I liked her athleticism, her skills and hard work and that she's a versatile player," Gaglioti said. "She's capable of playing in the midfield, and she's capable of playing as a defender." Lubosco chose Fairleigh Dickinson over the University of Tampa and Saint Leo. "I decided to fly up there because the coach kept contacting me," Lubosco said. "When I went up there, I was pretty impressed with the school and the campus. It's a nice area." One not completely unfamiliar to her family. Lubosco's mother, father and stepfather are from northern New Jersey. "I've never been that far away (from home)," Lubosco said. "I'm looking forward to a new environment and getting on my own feet." Lubosco plans to enroll in a five-year masters program for psychology, and hopes someday to start her own practice. The Fairleigh Dickinson women's program is entering its third year. After struggling through a 2-16-1 season in 2000, the Knights improved to 5-11 last year. Five losses came in overtime, and another two were by a goal. "We were very competitive," Gaglioti said. "We just didn't have the depth. The team was comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, and we didn't have enough experience going up against juniors and seniors." The Knights will be slightly more experienced this season, but that doesn't mean freshmen such as Lubosco or Christa Iwanski of IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton can't contribute right away. "The best players are going to play regardless if they are freshmen or if they are seniors," Gaglioti said. "If (Lubosco) comes in and works hard day in and day out, she'll compete for playing time." -- Staff writer Frank Pastor can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to
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