The reasoning behind the decision was admirable and was based on what I believe the team learned throughout the process of the season. The guys knew the odds but wanted to follow through on their responsibility to compete. Not quitting became the mantra of the squad and was fulfilled even into the final moments of the season. If we had chosen to not participate in the tournament we would have missed out on the opportunity to celebrate the only goal in the run of play on the season as we finally tickled the nylon in the second half of our season ending loss to Allen County 3-1. That goal drew the score within one goal at 2-1 and made for some nervous moments for our opponent as we closed out the campaign on a positive note.
Much credit goes to the team as they learned the harder lessons of competition.
Some of those lessons failed to escape even this member of the coaching staff's attention. The next goal is, of course, to WIN with grace.