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Rachel Buehler, who was a star player from Torrey Pines High School, went on to play at Stanford and then for the U.S. women's soccer team.

On Monday, she recalled the drama-filled, overtime soccer match between the United States and Canada during the Olympics.

"That was the craziest game I've ever played in my whole life," Buehler told 10News.

She said she will remember it for the rest of her life.

"Just being in that stadium with so many fans, completely involved in the game… kind of just the feeling and emotion that goes on," she said.

The Del Mar native is one of the stars on the No. 1 ranked team in the entire world. She is nicknamed "Buehl-dozer" for her tough play.

She shined during the gold medal match against Japan that set a new attendance record with more than 80,000 spectators.

"It's hard to describe and it's unlike anything I've felt before but then to be able to win in front of that crowd was really special," she said.

The defender helped defeat the same Japanese team that beat them in the World Cup final one year before.

"Just getting the medal around your neck, hearing your national anthem play… I know that's maybe kind of cliché but it's so true… really, just such a sense of pride," she said.

Buehler's family and fiancé had front-row seats in London and were rooting her on Monday evening as she was honored by the Del Mar City Council.

"I love this area so much," she said. "I mean, I'm a San Diegan through and through."

She was accepted to medical school at UC San Diego but she plans to put that on hold so she can continue to compete. She also is planning a November wedding at Balboa Park.