«In terms of our core group, I feel like we have grown a lot together,» Keefe said last month. «On a day like today, it is really tough to feel or sense any sort of progress, but I do feel we have made progress as a group. A lot of the disappointment that comes in losing is attached to the excitement you have for your team and the potential that your team has.
"That excitement and potential I believe is still very much there. I think we feel that. I think we feel good about the fact that we were able to push through the first round, and yet you also sense that you are so close, and the margin is so thin to get beyond that to get from eight to four and ultimately from two to one. You feel close, and yet you recognize how far away it is.»