As Northwestern’s bus rumbled down Sheridan Road on Monday morning, it was accompanied by a police car with its sirens blaring — but there wasn’t anything wrong.
The Wildcats were being escorted home after winning their school’s first NCAA team championship since 1941.
“We were blown away by the police escort,” sophomore Aly Josephs said.
The Cats celebrated their national championship Sunday night by holding a team dinner in downtown Annapolis, Md.
“It was so nice to sit down and reflect as a team,” coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said.
When they arrived home at Patten Gymnasium, the Cats were welcomed by cheers from alumni, athletic officials and friends.
Some of the lacrosse players’ friends, most of them from the women’s soccer team, arrived early to cover the gym’s front steps and sidewalk with chalk messages like “National Champs ’05,” “Congrats NU Lax” and “History in the Making.” They also hung streamers and balloons from the railings and the two statues in front of the building.
A handful of loyal alumni also showed up, pom-poms in hand, and one brought a boombox playing the NU fight song.
“Everyone’s been so supportive,” senior Donna McCann said. “It’s awesome. It’s great to see the support.”
Lindsey Munday, the Cats’ leading scorer, fittingly exited the bus first, and the rest of the team followed, making sure to make a funny face at the team’s video camera first. Senior Courtney Koester was the last to file out as she raised the trophy over her head.
The team gave a chant of “undefeated,” and then talked to local television news reporters.
“I don’t really know if I really believe it,” said sophomore Kristen Kjellman, the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA tournament. “It’s amazing. I can’t even put it into words.”
Josephs said the rest of the team was just as shocked by what they had accomplished.
“I think everyone’s speechless,” she said. “It’s been … awesome.”
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