By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/2/12
Hatboro-Horsham senior defenseman Dominic DeFazio will spend a year as a post-graduate at Hill Academy, a Canadian power coached by Philadelphia Wing Brodie Merrill.
DeFazio earned his third straight Suburban One Continental Conference First team selection this year when he led the Hatters to an 18-4 season and a share of the Suburban One Continental title with Central Bucks East. He was a four-year starter.
His numbers were most impressive: 140 groundballs as well as two goals and two assists. He always had the job of defending the opposing team’s top attackman.
DeFazio accepted the invitation to play on the Hill Acadmy PG team (Hill Academy also fields a national power high school team) after getting into the lacrosse recruiting scene a little late. He originally intended to play college football – he was a Third Team All-State linebacker – but later realized he wanted to play college lacrosse and saw that the Division I openings were scarce.
DeFazio, who played club lacrosse for LB3, learned through coach J.P. Banks that Merrill was interested in adding some strong defenseman to his PG team.
“I had a couple options and then talked to coach (J.P.) Banks and he talked to Brodie Merrill and it went from there,” said DeFazio. “It will help me to play for that coaching staff and all the experience they have. Plus, I will get to play with kids from far away.”
DeFazio was named the Hatters’ team MVP this year when he helped the squad reach the District 1 quarterfinals and yield under 4 goals per game. He also served as Senior Class President.
DeFazio thanked the following people for his development: His parents, Harold and Karen, siblings Amanda and Nick, HH head coach John Furek, JP Banks, former HH coach Dave Sowers, (LB3 director) Old Man Banks and all his teammates.
