Last line of defense (this head is kicker, flush right)

Tony Altobelli

It’s a rivalry handed down from generation to generation and for

Corona del Mar High girls soccer standout Britta Vogele, nothing has been

lost in the translation.

“A loss to Newport Harbor is a lot harder to deal with than a normal

loss,” Vogele said. “Just like a win over Newport is much, much sweeter

than a normal win.”

No wonder she was playing like her hair was on fire during the Jan. 6

showdown with the rival Sailors.

The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week posted six big saves in the Sea

Kings’ 1-0 win over Newport. Her play was further inspired when her twin

sister, Margit, went down late in the first half with a gash above her

left eye following a collision with a Newport player.

“When that happened, it just made me want to play that much harder,”

the older Vogele (by one minute) said. “Sometimes an injury like that can

take a team out of its game, but in our case, it just made us mad and we

knew we weren’t going to lose that game.”

Not even a collision with a Newport attacker stopped Vogele from her

quest of defeating the crosstown rivals.

“One of the their players got past our defense and it was a 50-50

chance to get to the ball,” Vogele said. “I saw the angle and knew I

could get to the ball, so I went after it. I collided with the Newport

player and she went to the ground. People thought it was a big save, but

to me, it wasn’t that big a deal.”

Being on the winning side of contests has been a way of life this year

for the Sea Kings (15-1-2), ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division

IV.

“We lost some talented players from last year, but this team is

working unbelievably well together,” Vogele said. “The chemistry is

strong and we’re all on the same page out there. We’re always aware of

where everyone is.”

Vogele isn’t just stingy with goals when it comes to the Sailors. She

has allowed only 12 goals in 18 games.

“Giving up a goal is the single worst thing in the world to me,”

Vogele said. “I hate it more than anything. I’m the last line of defense

and it’s my job to make sure that ball doesn’t get past me.”

Vogele’s determination on the field has earned her a future career at

the University of Iowa, where Vogele will spend her college years.

“I think she has the ability to play at the NCAA Division I level

right now,” CdM Coach Ron Evans said. “There’s no doubt in my mind about

that. She not only makes all the expected saves, but she even makes one

or two spectacular saves each game for us.”

Vogele, a four-year varsity player for the Sea Kings, began playing

soccer 12 years ago. “When I started playing, I played all the field

positions, but would play goalie if they needed me to,” Vogele said. “A

couple of years later, I started to play goalie full time. I like the

fact that it’s a pressure position and it’s a position that takes total

focus.”

Evans credits Vogele’s ability to stop and control shots as her key to

success. “Most goalies try to catch the ball by bringing the ball to

their chest, which is wrong,” Evans said. “Britta uses her hands only.

She’s got tremendous hands. I tell you, Iowa is lucky to be getting her.”

Vogele admits there is a couple of negative aspects about heading to

Iowa? “I’m really going to miss playing on the same team as Margit,”

Vogele said. “We have a great chemistry. Being a twin is a connection

unlike any other. I’m also going to really miss the beaches out here. I’m

trying to take full advantage of them while I’m still in the area.”