As the Pittsburgh Passion prepare for the franchise's first playoff game tomorrow night against the Erie Illusion, some players can't help but look back at how much things have changed in the past five years.

		At a glance What: Pittsburgh Passion vs. Erie Illusion When: 7 p.m. tomorrow Where: George Cupples Stadium, 930 E. Carson St., South Side. Parking: $3 parking in Station Square East parking lot for fans who show a Passion ticket stub upon exiting. Shuttles: Free buses will run between Station Square and Cupples stadium from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 for adults; $8 with military ID and for seniors; $5 for children and for students with ID.

The Passion joined the National Women's Football Association in March 2002. Wide receiver Jennifer Moody vividly remembers the atmosphere in the franchise's first season being vastly different from the team's demeanor in 2007, when the Passion finished the regular season 8-0.

"The first year there was a lot of newness and excitement and people getting to know each other," Moody said. "We've definitely come a long way in five years."

The uneasiness among teammates and coaches is definitely a thing of the past. Also a thing of the past is the feeling of regular-season triumph, followed by postseason rejection.

The Passion has posted four consecutive winning seasons but only has its playoff appearance tomorrow to show for it. Records of 6-2, 5-3 and 5-3 produced no postseason contests, but an undefeated season and Northern Conference Central Division title this season have the Passion feeling nearly invincible going into the weekend.

"We're not overconfident, but we're confident," Moody said. "If I had to anticipate, [I think] it's going to be a nice weekend for us."

"I feel like our coaches have prepared us well," free safety Teresa Conn said. "The high we're on right now, I feel pretty good."

Conn has the unique advantage of enjoying the team's success from the field and the front office. In addition to recovering fumbles and deflecting passes in the secondary, she also has been the team owner since 2003.

Several other members of the Passion have full-time jobs in fields such as social work, youth counseling and medical assistance, and Moody said success has come from team members realizing the game is a bit more than just a recreational experience.

"It's definitely a strong commitment we have to make in terms of balancing things like family and careers," she said.

Conn agreed, saying the payoff of a possible title in a few weeks is enough motivation.

"It gets to be a lot, but we balance it because it's worth it to us," she said.

The Passion will have to finish 12-0 if it plans on celebrating a championship July 21 in Nashville.

"We have our heads set pretty straight," Conn said. "Of course we have the goal of winning the championship, but we have to take care of every game that leads to that."