WORCESTER, Mass. - The Holy Cross women's basketball team beat Boston University Sunday to capture the Patriot League championship and gain an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. It's the first time the Crusaders have been in the big dance since 2007. 

The team gathered on campus Sunday Night to watch the selection show and see their name come up on the big screen and find out who they would face. The room erupted as it was announced Holy Cross would be a 15-seed and play Maryland, a 2-seed, in the first round. 

Playing in the tournament and seeing their name announced on the selection show is a dream come true for the coaches and players. 

"Yeah it's absolutely amazing," said head coach Maureen Magarity. "It's just starting to really set in seeing our name pop up on the screen. The way this team has played in the Patriot League Tournament and really the last couple weeks has been unbelievable."

"I think seeing your name up on the screen, that's something you dream of as a child," said guard Addisyn Cross. "So this is a dream come true for me and this entire team."

"Yeah seeing our name up there on the board was definitely a once in a lifetime experience," said forward Lindsay Berger. "And I'm really excited to get to Maryland on Friday."

"It was definitely overwhelming," said forward Janelle Allen. "It's something you dream of all the time when you're playing a sport."

Holy Cross will play Maryland on the road in College Park, Maryland Friday at 2:30 p.m.