Huron goalkeeper Michelle Freed, left, is embraced by McKinlee Ward as Meg Boyer prepares to join the celebration after the River Rats' shootout victory over Saline in a Division 1 district semifinal Thursday at Saline. Huron will play Pioneer in a district title game on Saturday. (Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)

After the Pioneer High School girls soccer team's 4-1 Division 1 district semifinal win over Monroe, the Pioneers knew they'd be facing off with a rival opponent in the district final -- Huron or Saline, which competed in the following semifinal Thursday at Saline High School.

"We're hoping to play Huron," admitted Pioneer senior Elizabeth Melangton, whose team lost to the River Rats in the district final a year ago.

A grueling 110 scoreless minutes and a shootout later, Pioneer's hopes were fulfilled. The River Rats and Hornets grinded through regulation and two overtimes before Huron prevailed with a 3-1 shootout edge for the 1-0 victory.

More coverage on MLive.com: Huron-Saline Boxscore | Pioneer-Monroe Boxscore

"We practiced before school in anticipation of a shootout," said first-year Huron coach Reese Richardson. "We knew that we were going to have to come out with poise and depend on everybody to make their shots."

And that's exactly what happened.

The River Rats' first shooter, Beth Boyer, set the tone with the initial goal -- tucking a low ball into the right corner of the net. Following suit with nearly-identical shots were her sister, Meg Boyer, and McKinlee Ward.

Providing Saline's lone shootout goal was its third shooter, Meghan Stephens.

Huron goalie Michele Freed swallowed up Mackenzie Schumborg's shot attempt for the game-clinching save.

"They (my teammates) did their job, so I knew it was time to do mine. It felt really good to be a part of that," said Freed, who finished with eight saves, including the three crucial shootout saves. "I was really proud of everyone that shot and made those goals, because that really set the pace and set the mood for everyone else."

That pace was well noted by Ward, who punched in Huron's final shot.

"The goalie wasn't moving (to one side or the other), so all I knew I had to do was hit in on net," she said.

Saline's goalie Michelle Pattullo finished with seven saves.

"The girls go with what they feel comfortable with at the moment," Richardson added. "Really, we just try to practice those (shootout shots) routinely and keep a good repetition. So when the time came we were comfortable going to the spot.

"Whenever you talk about an SEC Red matchup, we knew it was going to be one of those close, one-goal games. I felt like the girls came out today, they focused hard and they gave the extra effort."

Pioneer didn't need any extra time in its semifinal win over Monroe.

The Pioneers, who blanked Monroe 8-0 in their regular-season meeting, took a 2-0 halftime lead. Olivia Clark scored on a Nora Katterman assist 13 minutes in and Megan Schechtman followed with a goal in the 23rd minute, the proven game-winner.

"We just try to win games that we have put in front of us," said Pioneer assistant coach Sam Stern. "We know all bets are off in the playoffs. So when we come to play, we try to do our best to prepare for the best teams in the state every time out."

The Trojans struck in the opening minute of the second half, but Pioneer responded with two insurance goals, coming from Clark once again 12 minutes in and Sam Voss at the 25th minute.

Katilyn Bedolla patrolled the net. The only shot-on-goal she faced was Monroe's one goal.

She'll likely see more shots than that in Pioneer's district title showdown with Huron, which will be played at 6 p.m. Saturday at Saline High School.

"It's a great deal of pressure for all involved," said Stern. "We want to just take care of very simple things that we need to do to succeed - first touch, winning balls, possessing the ball and moving forward ... And then we have faith that the other things will fall in line."

In their last meeting, on May 25, the Pioneers squeezed out a 2-1 win over the River Rats.

"We know it's going to be a tough game," said Richardson. "We know Pioneer. We know what they like to do now. We have a better idea of how they run their offense."

Added Ward, "It's a big rivalry. Everyone on the teams know each other. It's going to be like last year. And we hope it turns out the same way."

Ward and her teammates also heard Pioneer vocalizing their preferance to face Huron in the finals.

"I know (the Pioneers) were here cheering for us, and they want revenge from last year."

Kaleb Roedel is a sports writer for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734)623-2562 and e-mailed at kalebroedel@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kaleb_R.