BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A small school in Baltimore won it all in the world of lacrosse. On Tuesday, the Loyola Greyhounds returned after capturing the national championship.

Mary Bubala has more on the celebrations.

For the first time ever in school history, Loyola clinched the national lacrosse championship—beating Maryland 9 to 3 on Memorial Day in Massachusetts.

Now the trophy the players held so close on the field is back in Baltimore along with the team, and players say it’s now just sinking in. They are the national champions.

“Just this whole year having support from the fans, the alumni and everyone around Baltimore, I mean a lot more people were talking about Loyola than Hopkins this year I think,” said Eric Lusby, NCAA champion.

“The bus ride home you know we are just sitting there and you look around at people’s faces and you just say, ‘Wow this is something special,’” said JP Dalton, NCAA champions.

The players made it back to Baltimore at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. The players then took a victory lap on campus Tuesday afternoon. It was an emotional moment for Coach Charley Toomey.

“Probably not since my children were born have I cried so much over a weekend,” Toomey said with a laugh.

About 200 students, faculty and administrators came out to celebrate the big win that puts their school in the national spotlight.

“I think we are finally going to get the credit we deserve after this win, and I think I am going to walk around Baltimore City and see Greyhounds all over the place,” said Sarah Smith.

“Just a great time to see them win, see a whole bunch of my friends just to celebrate and enjoy this time. It’s special, real special,” said Kerry Stoothoff, student.

The Loyola Greyhounds entered the season ranked No. 21 in a national poll. They went onto to have a near flawless record of 18 and 1.