Despite the flip throws, the 40-yard throw-ins launched with pinpoint accuracy and the 10-1 shot disadvantage, Steinbrenner held Lakeland George Jenkins — the No. 3 team in the country according to ESPN — scoreless for 56 minutes Friday.

But after several near misses that clinked off the crossbar and left post, the Eagles converted. And then 40 seconds later they did it again, taking a 2-0 lead that they did not relinquish. The chase left several Warriors gasping for air, with hands clasped on top of their heads.

And when the final whistle blew, the deep breaths turned to tears, as they had collectively given everything their coached could have asked of them.