When things didn't exactly go there way during a scoreless first half, there was no finger pointing or testy exchanges between teammates.
It was about being "even keel," right coach Erich Schaser?
"That's one thing we really work on," he said. "We don't want to get too up or too down. Just be even keel and put in a good, workmanlike effort."
The Foxes did exactly that in their 2-0 win over the Panthers at Uihlein Soccer Park and are now one step away from repeating as Division 2 state champions.
Fox Valley Lutheran plays Catholic Memorial in the Division 2 title game today at noon, a rematch of last season's title game.
"Our goal for the whole season was to get back here and win it again," Foxes goalie BJ Kiser said. "A rematch with (Catholic Memorial) would just be ridiculous."
Plymouth (24-2-1) was physical from the start with the Foxes and there were plenty of hard tackles and pushing and shoving on battles for possession. There were also two yellow cards handed out along with a red card.
The Foxes battled through and did manage seven shots in the first period.
"We haven't played anybody that was that physical across the board," Schaser said. "We knew it was going to be physical, but didn't expect that much. We knew who their good finesse guys were, but it's a good lesson for us."
Fox Valley Lutheran finally broke through at the 47:12 mark in the second half on a nifty move by senior forward Trent Allison.
Allison secured a through ball to the left of the goal, shaked-and-baked his way past Plymouth defender Jeff Roth and slipped the shot past goalie Jon Hintz for the score.
"I was feeling good today," Allison said. "The defender went the wrong way and I was able to roll off and there was no one in front of me."
Allison assisted on Fox Valley Lutheran's last goal, a boot off the foot of Paul Stuebs at 76:12.
"Paul's been hurt a little bit and he sucked it up and played the whole game for us," Schaser said. "He's one of the guys who needs to be in there for us."
Fox Valley Lutheran's defense was also solid, winning most possessions and limiting Plymouth to five shots.
Kiser, a senior, stopped all three of the Panthers' attempts and watched as another clanged off the top of the post.
"When it's a (close) game, it can change in an instant and you have to be ready for that," he said. "You have to keep playing hard and that's what we did."
Being in position to secure another state championship is something that Allison is looking forward to.
"After the first one, it was just amazing, something you dream about," he said. "And now to have another opportunity … it's just great knowing that we can do it twice."