LAKE ORION — For the past two months, Rochester Adams’ boys soccer team has proven it can do one thing better than most: Win.

Although it wasn’t always pretty, the Highlanders extended their unbeaten streak to 15 games, as they edged Stoney Creek in a shootout — Adams scored three goals in the shootout, while the Cougars scored two goals — to win a Division 1 district championship, 1-0.

“Before our run, I knew this was a special team and then they started to put it all together,” Adams head coach Josh Hickey said, as his team has amassed a 13-0-2 in its last 15 games.

With the win, the Highlanders (15-3-3) will play Midland Dow in their regional matchup at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lake Orion High School.

Playing for the third time this season, the Cougars and the Highlanders refused to give an inch, shadowing one another down the field, anticipating moves, making it difficult for either team to garner a solid shot on goal. For players and coaches on both sides, it was what was expected, as neither squad has allowed more than two goals in their previous two meetings against one another. The Highlanders won the season series, 2-0-1.

After playing to a scoreless tie at the end of regulation and two 15-minute overtimes, the Highlanders’ goalkeeper, Kevin Soisson, continued his stellar play in the high-pressure shootout.

Soisson, whom teammates have dubbed “Stonewall Soisson”, made two saves in the shootout, while one shot was wide of the net.

“It’s a little guessing,” Soisson said about facing the shooters. “I watch their eyes, and sometimes they (shoot it) the opposite way they’re looking and I go the opposite way. I got a save like that.”

Although it was Soisson’s first appearance as a goalkeeper in an official shootout, he certainly has had plenty of practice.

For the past two weeks, the Highlanders have devoted the last 20 minutes of each practice to penalty kicks, and it undoubtedly paid off. Soisson had nothing but praise for coach Hickey, whom he described as the “smartest coach” he’s ever played for. Hickey was quick to reciprocate with the praise.

“It’s his first year (as a goalkeeper) and he’s proving he’s one of the best in the state,” Hickey said. “Now is his time.”

Joey Dillon, Justin Wineke and Alex Czirmer all scored goals in the shootut for Adams.

“It was kind of tough going into penalty kicks,” Dillon said. “You’re a little nervous, but you have to have faith in your shot and confidence in your teammates.”

With the score tied, 2-2, Czirmer, the team’s fifth shooter, stepped into the box and came through in the clutch, scoring the game-ending goal.

Hickey said his team’s hard work and dedication is what sets it apart from the rest.

Stoney Creek, which concludes its season at 14-4-4, missed its first two shots in the shootout — Soisson made a save on the first shot, and the next shot was wide of the net. Ryan Finstad and Zach Schewee each scored goals in the shootout for the Cougars.

“I’m really proud of them and it’s yet another piece to build on for next season,” Stoney Creek head coach Phil Moore said.

Turnovers proved to be costly for the Cougars, according to Moore. Whenever the Cougars appeared poised to make a run at the net, especially in the second half and in both overtimes, the Highlanders would come up with a steal, killing Stoney Creek’s momentum.

Adams outshot the Cougars, 5-3, on the game. The Highlanders registered two shots on goal in overtime.

Stoney Creek goalkeeper, Anthony Shepherd, proved to be equally impressive opposite Soisson, as he came up with two acrobatic saves to keep his Cougars alive.