CLAREMONT, Calif. --- The George Fox women's lacrosse team traveled to California to compete in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in its history and faced a tough Pomona-Pitzer team, falling to the Sagehens, 7-24 in the 2023 NCAA Second Round.

How It Happened
Both the Bruins and Sagehens received a bye from the first round of the tournament — meaning the winner of Sunday's contest would qualify for the Sweet Sixteen. It was the second straight trip to California for Fox, who played on the same field the year prior for the 2022 NCAA Tournament, facing off against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Pomona-Pitzer struck first, scoring in the opening minutes to a 2-0 lead. The Bruins stayed close with a Kyra Barnes dodge to the center for a goal. The senior weaved and faked around opponents, cutting the deficit to one with a beautiful shot in her final game. After three more Sagehen goals, Carleigh DeLapp found Marena Tharpe for the score; Fox rounded out the first quarter with a goal from Tharpe as the Bruins trailed at the end of the first, 3-9.

The potent Sagehen offense kept a strong attack going throughout the second, jumping out to a 15-3 halftime lead. DeLapp scored one goal and Ava Bluhm put in two more in the second half of the game, as Pomona-Pitzer advanced with their 24-7 victory.

Top Performances
Marena Tharpe led the team with three points – two goals and one assist — while Ava Bluhm scored two goals and Carleigh DeLapp, Kyra Barnes, and Olivia Geyling each scored one. Seniors Maxine Parkin, Lyla Roy, and Hayley Hensley rounded out their collegiate careers with solid effort defensively.

What It Means
Fox wraps up its 2023 campaign with its seventh consecutive undefeated Northwest Conference season and fourth straight postseason appearance, finishing with a 17-2 record and 11 players named to the all-conference team.