MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- The George Fox women's lacrosse team faced Illinois Wesleyan in the NCAA Opening Round at Rhodes College and fell, 13-12, ending their program-best season with a 13-1 overall record.

How It Happened

The Bruins struck first with a goal by Marena Tharpe in the third minute of action, but the Titans answered with two goals in short order to grab the lead. Carleigh DeLapp leveled it at 2-2 with an assist from Andrea Garcia-Milla nine minutes into the game but the Titans answered back with two more for a 4-2 lead. Bailey Faust put in a goal unassisted to pull within one, but then the Titans broke the game open with five unanswered goals to close the half with a 9-3 lead.

Wesleyan started the second half with another tally for a 10-3 lead, but the Bruins began to make adjustments to the Titans' defensive schemes and put in four straight to make it a 10-7 ball game. Olivia Geyling was responsible for three of the four during the run, and DeLapp added another to shrink the gap. The Titans were able to respond with three goals to make it 13-8, but the Bruins answered back with four more to pull within one, 13-12, with five minutes left in the tilt. Kyra Barnes put in a pair, both unassisted, and Madison Strickland added two more, but the Titans' defense held up in the final two minutes to win by one.

Top Performers

The Bruins got hat tricks from Geyling and Strickland in the loss, while Garcia-Milla helped on three goals with assists. Ella Rand made 11 saves against her 24 shots faced, and Faust led the way with five draw controls. Payton Bergren tied for the team lead with three caused turnovers and seven ground balls.

What It Means

The Bruins finish their eighth campaign with a 13-1 record and the program's second NCAA appearance, marking the most successful season in the history of the conference.