By CJ Mucker
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 2/17/15

Bartram Trail (FL) 2015 goalie Clare Difato has been named the TopLaxRecruits.com Girls’ Player of the Week.

Difato, signed to play Division II lacrosse at the University of Indianapolis, made 14 saves Friday to lead the host Bears (2-0) to a 12-7 victory over previously-undefeated Bishop Moore.

Why was this a big win for your team?

Difato: “Bishop Moore was our first real game. We have a lot of history playing them. My freshman year we lost to them in the final four and then played them again last year. We knew that they would definitely be a challenge and would give us a great game. Last year we lost a lot of great seniors, but this game proved to ourselves that even with this ‘new team’ we are a force to be reckoned with this season.”

Can you tell us what helped you accomplish such a strong performance?

Difato: “First and foremost the faith my teammates have in me to have their backs is something that gives me the more confidence than anything else. Especially this year with new personnel on defense, they work so hard to protect me that playing well for them least I could do. This year I’ve also had the opportunity to work with Cara Canington who played goalie for UF and my head coach’s dad, Joe Fanning, who has been coaching me since 9th grade. Together their knowledge about the game and my position is second to none. Their training is definitely what has helped me play to my full potential. Finally just believing in myself and playing the game I love without overthinking helped me have a really strong game.”

What is the outlook for your team in 2015 and what do you need to do to reach your goals?

Difato: “We definitely have high hopes for this season. We’d all love to get back to the final four and possibly the state championship, but we are going to take it one step at a time. Right now we’re keeping all our focus on peaking for our district championship. We arguably have one of the best districts in the state with Ponte Vedra, Creekside, and Nease all competing with us for one spot in playoffs. They never fail to give us the most intense and skillful games of the season. And they definitely bring out the best in us. We have the utmost respect for all of teams in our district and on our schedule. From the past two games we have learned that we are a long way away from where we need to be and where we have the potential to get to, but we are super excited for what is to come and we are ready to put in the work!”

What are your personal goals for 2015?

Difato: “As I’m finishing up my high school career my personal goal for 2015 is to be able to look back at the season, whatever the outcome may be, and know that I gave it all that I could in every way possible. Even though I do want to do really well in season and hopefully make it back to the state championship, I want to know that I made an impact on my team. Not just by pushing them to be better players but to be stronger and more confident people. I want to know that I made use of every second of victory and loss and turned it into something I can learn from to make me better at the next level. Because in the end I know I won’t remember the wins and losses, but I will remember the memories I made with my Bartram lacrosse family and the experiences that shaped me into the person I’ve become.”

Nominations for the Heritage Girls’ Player of the Week can be made by e-mailing us at golax@toplaxrecruits.com or tweeting/messaging us @toplaxrecruits. All information must be provided or verified by the team’s head coach.