Hostetler stands tall in Sea Kings' big win

Presidential campaigns can be draining. The day of the big girls' lacrosse game was here, and Sarah Hostetler was not in the right state of mind.

It was almost a year ago now, but the Corona del Mar High senior goalie still remembers April 27, 2011 pretty well. Earlier in the day, she had to give a speech in her quest to become the school's ASB president.

Hostetler said she didn't feel like she would win the position after the candidates gave their speeches. She felt like it affected her play later in the day. The Sea Kings didn't win their Pacific Coast League showdown at Beckman, as the Patriots took a 20-9 decision that day on their way to yet another Pacific Coast League title.

"I was just such a nervous wreck that day," Hostetler said. "I came out of [my ASB speech] not feeling hot or primed for a game at all. We didn't have a backup goalie at the time, so [Coach Aly Vislocky] couldn't put anyone else in. Yeah, it was really tough. That's a huge regret from my lacrosse season last year."

So motivation definitely wasn't a problem when CdM played Beckman for the first time in league this year. At the end of the warmups, Hostetler told CdM goalie Coach Kara Podesta that she was ready to redeem herself.

"I've been waiting a year to play this game again, and to show them that's not how the CdM goalie plays," Hostetler said.

As it turns out, Hostetler became ASB president after all. At CdM on March 13, she showed Beckman who was boss.

Hostetler shined in goal, making 17 saves. The Sea Kings earned a huge 14-10 victory, beating the juggernaut Patriots for the first time in nearly five years and snapping a nine-match league losing streak to Beckman.

Vislocky said Hostetler played the best game of her varsity career. Now it's CdM (3-0 in league) in the driver's seat in league for the first time in Vislocky's four-year tenure.

Hostetler, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, does not take too much credit. She sees herself as part of a defensive unit — featuring players like Kylie Mulvaney, Ashley Keligian, Meredith Davin and Audrey Doud — that stepped up its collective game as well. Molly Rovzar, who usually plays in the midfield, was a huge help defensively in the Beckman game as well.

It's hard for Hostetler to describe what it was like to beat Beckman. She said it was particularly rewarding because the Sea Kings had to battle back from an 8-5 deficit early in the second half.