The University of Mary Washington women's lacrosse team used a solid second half defensive effort in topping Christopher Newport University, 13-9, on Wednesday night in Newport News, Va., in a game delayed for two hours and 22 minutes by lightning at the outset.

The Eagles (14-7) will advance to face Catholic University on Saturday in Salisbury, Md., at 2:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, the Eagles jumped ahead early, taking a 3-1 advantage on goals by Ellen Bikowski (at 26:15), Catherine Kennedy (25:53), and Kaitlin Aquino (21:46). But the Captains scored the game's next four goals to take a 5-3 lead with 11:18 left in the first half.

The Eagles responded with the next three goals (by Lauren Callison and two by Julia Milner) to take the lead at 6-5 with 6:49 to play. After a Captains goal tied the score, the Eagles closed the half with a score from sophomore Katie Wallis to hold a 7-6 lead at intermission.

After Allie Kimmelman scored the first goal of the second half, CNU scored twice to tie the score at eight. The Eagles scored the next five goals to put the game away, with Kennedy scoring twice and Kimmelman, Wallis, and Erin Murphy scoring solo goals in the run.

UMW was led by Kennedy's three goals and Kimmelman's two scores and four assists. The Eagles outshot CNU, 39-21, and had 42 ground balls to 17 for the Captains. UMW freshman Danni Guigli had nine saves for the Eagles, including eight in the second half, in which CNU scored three goals.

The Eagles meet Catholic for the second time this season in their next matchup. The Cardinals topped the Eagles, 21-9, in April at the Battleground.