Huron's Kelsey Gradwohl advances the ball past Marian's Rachel Michalski as her team advanced to the state finals with a 3-0 win.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Heading into the Michigan High School Field Hockey Association semifinals against Bloomfield Hills Marian, the Huron High School field hockey team recalled particular pearls of wisdom its coach Tia Sutton passed onto them months back.

"Earlier in the season," explained Huron junior captain Anna Masini, "our coach said it's not about the most skill or most talent on the field, it's the will to win."

The River Rats (15-2) showcased that 'will' Thursday, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half en route to a 3-0 shutout over Marian at Huron's Riverbank Stadium. Huron advances to Saturday's final against cross-town rival Pioneer.

"I think tonight we all knew what this game meant to everyone and how important it was," added Masini. "Everybody that went out there just wanted it -- wanted it all."