PITTSBURGH -- In a world of boys against girls, 12-year-old goaltender Taylor Cestra holds her own on the ice.

This child hockey star is one of Pittsburgh's most fascinating personalities, and she's not even a teenager yet.

Under all the goalie pads, Taylor's auburn hair is about the only thing that gives away the fact that she's a girl.

But according to Taylor, she's treated like one of the guys among her teammates.

"Yeah. Except stronger and better," she said.

Coach Dave Stonebraker said Taylor has a mental edge above the rest.

"You can tell she loves the game," said Stonebraker. "She plays it at the highest level that she could."

Taylor is one of the top three female goalies her age in the country, according to WTAE Channel 4 Action News anchor Wendy Bell.

She plays for two boys teams and a girls A-Major traveling team, logging 24 shutouts so far this season and a 95 percent save percentage.

"She's very good," said Taylor's mother, Rose. "You would never know she's a girl out there if you didn't know."

Rose Cestra said she works three jobs to finance her daughter's dreams.

Taylor's teammates help keep the motivation alive. The boys scramble to get on Taylor's team, because they want to win.

One boy said Taylor's a better goalie than he is.

"I have to admit that," he said, rating her a 9.5 out of 10.

"She's always following the puck, so it's hard to make a move on her," another boy said.

"Taylor's a very talented girl," said Stonebraker. "She's very quick. She's agile. She can move from side to side. She doesn't let many rebounds get there for more shots."

Scouts already know about her, and prep schools could be calling soon. Her straight-A average in school doesn't hurt, either.

"It's great just to feel that I accomplished something," said Taylor. "It sort of feels like you win the lottery."

But according to Taylor, her sights are set on going to prep school -- and one day, the Winter Olympics.

"She's very focused," Rose Cestra said. "She won't allow herself to give up a goal."

"I wouldn't be afraid to put a little bit of money on her," said Stonebraker.

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