Gabriella Carbone Signs Letter of Intent

Congratulations to East Brunswick High School senior Gabriella Carbone.

The EBHS varsity soccer player signed her National Letter of Intent to attend LaSalle University and play D-1 soccer for the 2011-2012 seasons.

While many other elite soccer players are committing to colleges in their junior year, Gabriella decided to wait to make her decision as a senior. Her reasoning was that people and situations change.

"A lot can happen in a year," she said.

Gabriella played soccer all four years of her high school career. During her time with the Lady Bears she helped the squad win four GMC championships. Gabriella led the Lady Bears in scoring her junior year with 11 goals, 4 assists and senior year with 14, 4 assists, receiving All Conference Honors along the way.

Gabriella was a member of the Central New Jersey Silver Bullets Wild Mustangs elite select girl’s team based in East Brunswick. Gabriella played up a year in age and led the Mustangs team in scoring in each of her four years while also serving as captain during the same time.

Gabriella is coached and trained by her father, Corrado Carbone. Playing for CNJSB, Gabriella was also afforded the opportunity to guest for the in US Club league play. It is at one of those games that she was first noticed by the head coach of LaSalle University, Paul Royal.

Gabriella is thankful to both Porto coaches Jared Kelner and Sia Shalikar for allowing her to play with the boys team.

“Playing with the boys is the best,” she says, “Lots of quick combination plays on the field.”

Gabriella also is a four year NJ Olympic Development Program player and member of the 2010 New Jersey ODP National Championship team. Her current team is FC Pennsylvania, which plays in the National league of youth soccer FC Pennsylvania. www.fcPennsylvania.com, coached by Dave Shaw and Jim McLoughlin.

Gabriella looked at many colleges all over the Continental USA. After giving college more thought, she decided to focus on staying closer to home and narrowed her search down to the tri State area, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. After receiving several scholarship offers, she chose LaSalle because of its dedication to excellence, its Catholic teaching and personal attention toward each of the students.

Located in Philadelphia, it's just over an hour away from her home in East Brunswick.

She said that what sealed the decision was the way Coach Royal, handled the recruiting process. She said Coach Royal brought a very caring and personable approach. Because of the various choices as to what college to attend Gabriella was not sure, Coach Royal was patient and made her feel wanted and did not pressure her with deadlines. Gabriella felt he really wanted to bring her into the La Salle Soccer Program.

The CNJSB Soccer Club of East Brunswick congratulates Gabriella Carbone and wishes her great success in college and in life. Any one interested in travel soccer can contact www.cnjsb.org  based in East Brunswick.