MELVINDALE - If there's one thing the Riverview soccer team knew they were good at, it was defense.
That defense proved to be key on Tuesday evening in the team's district semifinal against Melvindale in a game that had to be decided by penalty kicks.
With both teams state-ranked, the Division 2 district semifinal matchup was highly-anticipated by area soccer fans. The two squads did not disappoint as they played to a scoreless tie after regulation.
Ultimately, however, it was the Pirates who were on the winning side of a 2-1 come-from-behind affair that needed both overtime and a penalty kick shootout.
"We've been on a run lately deciding to defend first," Riverview coach Ben Zolynsky said. "We went through a stretch where we put some of our best defenders up at forward and it did not work for us.
"So, we were like 'we can defend really well, so why don't we do that first?'"
It was exactly what Riverview had to do the majority of the evening as Melvindale controlled the ball throughout regulation, firing shot after shot at the Bucs' defense.
It took a bit, but Zolynsky's bunch found their rhythm - and their strength.
"In the beginning, the first 10 minutes, we weren't playing like ourselves," Riverview goalie Jordan Fischer said. "It was kind of rocky in the beginning but Gabe Whitaker came in to help with that big amazing save and after that we started finding our rhythm and started defending and we were being patient."
The patience had to go all the way through almost 95 minutes of play before Riverview was able to get on board. It also was tested in what was a comeback effort against Melvindale, who got on the board first on Tuesday.
Mohamed Hezam got Fischer just out of position just 50 seconds into the first 10-minute overtime and it was suddenly a 1-0 Cardinal advantage. It almost looked like the Hezam score would stand as the game-winner, but Riverview eventually got the much-needed equalizer.
With 5:39 to go in the second 10-minute overtime, Michael Gilleran picked up a quick bounce in front of the Melvindale net and deposited it in for a tie game to force the sudden death penalty kicks.
"We knew if we got to PKs, we had a good chance," Zolynsky said. "Our goalie can dive really well and our PK shooters are strong."
Strong, they were.
Gilleran, Gabe, Oliver Paredes, Jack Bias, and Luis Villa all scored for Riverview in the PK round.
For Melvindale, Zimam Alsanwi, Malek Awadh, and Mohamed Hezam scored, while Riverview's Fischer came up big on a Abdul Alratan stop.
When Villa scored his game-deciding goal, the Riverview crowd and bench erupted.
"I had to come up big for my team today," Fischer said. "Even though we were down 1-0, there was still time to play.
"Last year we lost with 30 seconds on the clock and it just takes a few seconds for us to make one big play," Fischer added. "The last four minutes of overtime we were able to make that big play and take it to PKs and I believe in our PK team."
Zolynsky knew when it came down to it, his team had what it took to win.
"We were trying to force them into that longer ball," he said. "We have size and we have athleticism. We said 'let's win those headers and look for those moments that we'll eventually press and get those opportunities,' and it eventually paid off."
Knowing how anticipated the game was, Zolynsky knew it was not going to be easy. Known for his respect for the Melvindale program, the longtime Bucs coach gave credit to his Cardinal counterparts.
"We said this is what we have to do to be successful as a team," he said. "We've got skill, maybe not the same level as some things in past years, but man we can defend. We've got some athletes and we can win headers.
This Melvindale team is quality," he continued. "They have good players and you can tell the emotion on their faces. Their fans were amazing (and) just hearing them change that whole game was so fun playing in that atmosphere."
With the win, Riverview (12-3-5) advances to the D2 district championship game, which takes place on Thursday, October 17 back at Melvindale.
Game time is set for 6:00pm
The Pirates will do battle against Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy, who knocked off Hamtramck 2-1 in overtime in Tuesday's earlier semifinal.