From Paulsboro to Standish, Maine

Finally, Stacy Anuszewski could exhale.

The long recruiting process had ended when the Paulsboro senior last week decided to continue her education and soccer career at Division III St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine.

Division III schools don't provide athletic scholarships, but the student-athletes who compete at this level spend just as much time if not more in choosing a college.

And the pressure to make the right choice is just as intense. So is the exultation of reaching a dream, to further one's athletic career and education.

"I have always wanted to play college soccer for as long as I can remember," said Anuszewski, a first-team all-Colonial Conference defender this past season. "And now it is starting to hit me that I will be able to continue."

Just because there's no athletic scholarship doesn't mean that Anuszewski and her family will have to pay the entire freight. She is ranked No. 5 in her senior class, is a member of the National Honor Society, and will receive a partial academic scholarship.

Anuszewski wanted a school where she felt comfortable with the soccer team, and she also is looking to major in English with a minor in secondary education. She hopes one day to teach English and coach soccer.

So she knew what she wanted. It was just finding the right situation that took some time.

And as intelligent as Anuszewski is, the best move that she made was to lean on her parents, Carol and Steve, for guidance.

"I couldn't have done this without them," she said. "They helped me every step of the way."

That included taking her on college visits, helping her with sending out tapes to various coaches, making sure that no detail was left undone.

The situation her parents faced during the recruiting process was common. They wanted to help her, but also felt it was important that their daughter make the ultimate decision.

The final two schools were Cabrini and St. Joseph's - one school less than an hour away and the other an eight-hour drive.

"Selfishly, it would have been great to see her at Cabrini because you could go to all of her games," Steve said. "But you have to let your child make the decision."

For caring parents, the hardest part is often letting go.

"We've been so involved in her career over the years, and Stacy needs the freedom to be her own person," her mother said.

What helped in this case is that Anuszewski has relatives who live near the college.

"It's a big factor, knowing I am going a good distance, but it will be great to have so many people I know," she said.

Her ability to adapt will certainly help her. She certainly did it on the soccer field.

A midfielder for most of her career, Anuszewski was asked by coach Ashley O'Hara to help fortify the defense at sweeper this past season.

Paulsboro went 8-12, improving its win total by five. Anuszewski had five goals and seven assists.

"She is a special player and a special person," O'Hara said. "I am really going to miss her."

One thing that Anuszewski won't miss is dealing with recruiting. She said she really enjoyed meeting so many good people, but for any high school senior, not knowing that future destination can be awfully stressful.

More important is having the feeling that the best decision was made and that there were the resources to make the best choice.

In essence, a successful recruiting effort usually involves total teamwork from the family, regardless of whether it is Division I, II, or III.