BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s own UVM Cardiac Cats are back in the Green Mountains after being crowned national champions in the NCAA men’s soccer final in North Carolina on Monday night.

Green and gold police cruisers led the way Tuesday afternoon as the Catamounts returned home from a historic national championship win.

Many fans were still in disbelief at the outcome of the game. “All the emotions … it was happiness, sadness — it was electric,” said Corey Bronner, a former UVM player.

As the Cats stepped off the bus, they held up the trophy and were greeted with cheers from the crowd that had gathered at Patrick Gym for their homecoming

“We’re just really excited to have the championship come back to Vermont,” said Megan Cashman, a UVM junior.

“For a state our size, this is a big deal. Sports aren’t the be-all and end-all here, but this is pretty good,” said Kevin Arthur of Essex Junction.

And Green Mountains pride continued inside as fans gathered to listen to the players and coaches.

But the party is just beginning. We spoke to John Daly on Monday night after the Catamount parent picked up one of the first championship jerseys following the game. Back in Vermont, almost 14 hours later, he was still wearing it. “We are so proud of the boys. What fun it was just to be a part of this whole thing,” he said.

Some fans say this is the start of something bigger. “I think hopefully it will start a trend and we can keep winning,” said Gabriella Strarets, a UVM junior.

But if you were to sum up Vermont’s first-ever football championship in one word, it would be… “history,” said Lincoln Bronner of Burlington.

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