Success breeds success.

Within the UNC athletic program, it’s a motto that promotes good-spirited competition between each of the different Tar Heel teams.

Nowhere was it more evident than in Philadelphia this past weekend, when the school’s men’s and women’s lacrosse teams each defeated Maryland on back-to-back days to win national championships.

Following the women’s title victory on Sunday, head coach Jenny Levy gave her team the option to fly home that night or stay an extra day to watch the men’s championship game on Monday. Even though staying meant having to ride home on a bus, they all agreed to do it.

Joe Breschi dabs after his team had just ended its 25-year national championship drought. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Joe Breschi dabs after his team had just ended its 25-year national championship drought. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Because both teams were in the same hotel, it also gave them a night to celebrate together.

“There was an atrium in the hotel, and I could hear all this craziness downstairs,” Levy said in a joint press conference with men’s head coach Joe Breschi on Tuesday. “And I’m like ‘Aww, our parents are going nuts.’

“Then I look down and I’m like, ‘Oh my god it’s the men’s team. That’s awesome,’” she continued. “I just thought it was a really cool moment for the players in both programs.”

The men’s team took care of business the next morning, winning an overtime thriller that ended a 25-year title drought.

Not long after Chris Cloutier’s game-winning goal found the back of the net, Levy’s team wanted to share the moment with head coach Joe Breschi’s squad on the field.

Security wouldn’t allow it, however, so the men simply marched over to the stands and climbed up there.

After getting their trophy on the field, the Tar Heel men's lacrosse team took to the crowd to celebrate. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

After getting their trophy on the field, the Tar Heel men’s lacrosse team took to the crowd to celebrate. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

“It’s almost like—in a fun way—it was the kids competing against each other,” Breschi said. “Not against each other, but with each other.

“To be like ‘We’re gonna get you, we’re gonna get you,’ and then to beat the same team is pretty magical,” he added. “And to celebrate with Jenny’s husband, Dan, and the ’91 team on the same day–it’s just so special for all of us.”

Plenty of other Tar Heel coaches showed their support for the lacrosse teams over the weekend as well.

Levy said she got advice on Saturday for her championship pregame speech from legendary women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance.

Head football coach Larry Fedora was also in Philadelphia, while Roy Williams—still recovering from knee surgery–offered good luck through text messages.

“It’s a healthy competitiveness between our athletes,” Levy said. “But they like to see each other achieve. And they want people to win national championships here.

That comes from the top down, all of the coaches respecting the work that each of us does with our programs.”

Joe Breschi (left) and Larry Fedora (right) spoke prior to Monday's championship game against Maryland. A number of UNC coaches voiced their support for both the men's and women's lacrosse teams over the weekend. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Joe Breschi (left) and Larry Fedora (right) spoke prior to Monday’s championship game against Maryland. A number of UNC coaches voiced their support for both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams over the weekend. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

As much as the competition within the university helps motivate the different teams, nothing motivates quite like a familiar foe. An ACC mainstay before leaving for the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland has always been a difficult opponent for the Tar Heels–no matter the sport.

But the lacrosse rivalry is at another level.

After eliminating both UNC’s men and women in the 2015 NCAA Tournaments, the Terrapins were served a cold dish of revenge this year.

Unable to contain her excitement, Levy shared her secret recipe.

“It was nice to beat the Terps twice,” she said. “And put a little salt on the red state”

Breschi, on the other hand, just wants to soak it all in after the incredibly emotional ride he and his team have had this season.

He took a deep breath, then said with emphasis: “I am gonna savor this moment for a looooooooooooooooong time.”