DU Student: Lacrosse Team's National Championship 'Brought School Spirit Back'

DENVER (CBS4) - Students are celebrating a historic victory for the University of Denver men's lacrosse team. The Pioneers beat Maryland 10-5 to secure the school's 30th overall national championship. But on the campus on Monday the feeling was this one is especially rewarding.

Even though it was the 30th national championship for the school, it was the first in a sport that isn't played on snow or ice. Men's hockey and the ski team own the other 29.

After Monday's win many students feel it's the start of something special. As the team's social media account claims, Denver is the "Lacrosse Capital of the West."

"We won baby, world champs," DU student Ryan Rogers said.

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For the first time ever, an NCAA men's lacrosse championship is headed to a school west of the Mississippi River.

"I wish to God I was out there rooting for the Pios out there in Philadelphia," student Chris Hopfenbeck said.

Hopfenbeck was at The Pioneer bar an hour before faceoff, ready to watch his school make history.

"Because of the Pios we're in the national championship," he said.

Instead he was in Denver with more than 100 new friends leading the crowd in cheers.

"I did my best, I love the Pios," Hopfenbeck said.

It's an East Coast-dominated sport and DU has eight players from Colorado on the roster. And with the win the program is now cemented among the nation's elite.

"It's a really big deal. I think Denver really pulled through. They worked hard all year, Coach T (Bill Tierney) really killed it and we did great," Rogers said. "They brought the school spirit back … we're just happy to be part of DU."

A big party is planned for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.