The kids have taken big steps. Last year it was learning they could win. This year it was knowing they could win.

It was fun while it lasted. We had our opportunities, we just didn't finish. That's the nature of the beast, an inch here and there.

It's a credit to Ricky, Mike and Mitch. They didn't bail on the program.

We pretty much controlled most of game. After they scored, we pretty much took it to them. We started out strong which we haven't been doing and the intensity level was good the whole way through. For the most part the 50-50 balls were going our way.

That was a wake-up call.

It was just about effort. Who wanted the game more.