Pinecrest Academy girls lacrosse head coach Jillian DiFazio has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Georgia Lacrosse Foundation.

DiFazio was nominated and selected by the chapter’s committee that also selects inductees into the Georgia Lacrosse Hall of Fame every two years. She’ll be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony Jan. 29.

DiFazio played collegiately at Randolph Macon in Virginia, then moved from Philadelphia to Georgia and has contributed to the sport’s exponential growth at every level. She was an assistant coach at several high schools, including Chattahoochee in 2009 when the Lady Cougars knocked off juggernaut Milton for the state championship. She started the girls lacrosse program at Pinecrest in 2014. She’s also been the director of a club program.

DiFazio has also been active with the Georgia Lacrosse Foundation for the past three years and currently serves as the organization’s president.

“Being recognized by the Georgia Lacrosse Foundation is a true honor,” DiFazio said. “I’ve played, coached and had the joy of seeing my kids play lacrosse. I guess it’s in my blood. I am thrilled to see the sport take off and continue to grow in the state of Georgia and all over the U.S.”

More locally, DiFazio has helped the Lady Paladins’ program become competitive in a short time. Pinecrest went 9-7 last year, the program’s first winning season in just its second year of varsity competition. DiFazio was named the Forsyth County News’ 2016 Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year.

“It was a huge surprise to me,” DiFazio said. “But definitely an honor to be recognized.”