MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Pomona-Pitzer lacrosse team saw their historic run in the 2024 season come to an end following a 16-1 loss to the No. 1 ranked Middlebury Panthers. The loss is just the second of the season for the Sagehens as they finish the season in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row with an overall record of 19-2. Although the Sagehens were tied for 8th fewest yellow cards at 17 coming into today's contest, Pomona-Pitzer was given eight cards against the Panthers, four of which came in the opening quarter of the contest with six in the first half total. The Sagehens were also called for 22 fouls to the Panthers nine in the game which came as a surprise as Pomona-Pitzer has featured a disciplined roster throughout the 2024 season. The Sagehens remarkable season comes to an end in the Elite Eight for the second-straight season with Pomona-Pitzer highlighting the weekend with their first victory over a top-10 program in history, defeating No. 8 Ithaca 17-9 in yesterday's Sweet Sixteen match up.
 
How It Happened
It was Middlebury with the early opportunity in the Elite Eight, taking the first shot of the game just 46 seconds in but Pomona-Pitzer would be the one to strike first. The Sagehens saw Hannah Gough forced a turnover in Middlebury's attacking third before completing the clear to set up the offense. Shoshi Henderson found Fiona Lewis cutting in front of the crease with Lewis delivering the game's first goal to give Pomona-Pitzer a 1-0 lead in two minutes in.
 
After the Panthers were awarded a free position shot 44 seconds later, Middlebury tied things at 1-1 with 12:16 on the clock. Middlebury managed to take a 2-1 lead before the Sagehens were given yellow cards just 37 seconds apart, putting the Sagehens in a tough spot early. Middlebury capitalized on the opportunity, scoring goals 24 seconds apart to make it 4-1, forcing Pomona-Pitzer to call a timeout. Out of the break, the Panthers continued their run, making their way to a 7-1 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
Pomona-Pitzer was able to hold Middlebury to five goals in the second quarter but couldn't get the offense going as River Buechner was the only Sagehen to record a shot in the second quarter with her attempt getting saved at the 8:48 mark. In the third quarter, Pomona-Pitzer created more offensive opportunities, taking six shots in the third quarter but the two shots on goal were both saved while the Panthers increased their lead to 14-1.
 
The Sagehens fought tough to the end of the contest, but the Panthers were able to add two more goals to the box score before the final whistle, handing the Sagehens a 16-1 loss for just their second loss of the 2024 season. Pomona-Pitzer saw five saves from Ruby Loesch in goal with the Sagehens forcing 10 turnovers. Despite the loss to the No. 1 Panthers, the Sagehens' weekend solidified the strength of the West Coast powerhouse program as they end their campaign in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row with a 19-2 record and a 58-5 record across the last three seasons.