The 19th ranked University of Mary Washington women's lacrosse team overcame a shaky first half to defeat Christopher Newport University, 18-10, on Wednesday at the Battleground. UMW improves to 9-3, while the Captains fall to 7-4.

CNU opened the scored less than four minutes in on a score by Meghan Harkey. Sophomore All-American Allie Kimmelman (Burke, Va., Robinson) tied the score for the Eagles several minutes later, but the Captains reeled off six of the next seven goals to take a 7-2 lead with 5:32 left in the half. UMW closed the margin to 8-4 by intermission, as Catherine Kennedy (Baltimore, Md., Baltimore Lutheran) and Sara Donatich (Melville, N.Y., Walt Whitman) scored for the Eagles.

Mary Washington came out in the second half and looked like a completely different squad, holding the Captains scoreless for nearly 24 minutes while netting the first 13 goals of the half. Sophomore Lauren Callison (Stevensville, Md., Kent Island) started the run with a pair of goals in the opening minutes, with Kennedy and Kimmelman alternating scores to push the lead to 10-8 less than eight minutes into the half. The scoring continued as Katie Wallis (Cypress, Texas, Cy-Creek) netted two goals before CNU scored with 6:14 remaining. The teams traded goals to end the game.

The Eagles led in shots, 45-29, and had 21 ground balls to 27 for CNU. The Eagles held a clear edge at draw controls, winning 22 of 29 in the game. Freshman goalies Leigh Ann Redefer (Lewes, Del., Cape Henlopen)(11 saves) and Kathryn Stiltz (Marietta, Ga., Walton) (none) combined for the win in goal for UMW. 

Mary Washington was led by Kimmelman's five goals and two assists, and Kennedy's four scores and two assists. Donatich had two goals and two assists for the Eagles. CNU was led by Kaitlin Quigley's five goals and one assist.

The Eagles will host Wesley College on Friday at 4 p.m. in a Capital Athletic Conference contest.