SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 3 Salisbury University women's lacrosse team defeated Christopher Newport University 18-9 in the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals on Wednesday afternoon, advancing to their 16th straight CAC championship game.

Gabrielle Mongno and Krissy Murphy led the way for Salisbury (17-1), as the duo combined for 14 points on the day.

Murphy found Courtney Fegan to open the scoring just 57 seconds in. Christopher Newport (10-9) evened the score three minutes later, but the Sea Gulls took control by scoring the next nine goals.

Mongno scored three of those goals, including two on free position shots and one from Murphy. Allie Hynson tallied back-to-back goals, with one on a free position shot and one assisted by Murphy. Both teams went 3-of-6 from the eight-meter arc on the day.

Emma Skoglund got in on the action, scoring the ninth straight to make it 10-1 before the Captains ended the run on a free position goal. Skoglund answered at the 8:46 mark to push the score to 11-2.

After Christopher Newport scored twice to make it 11-4, Taylor Poore and Mongno each scored unassisted markers to give the Sea Gulls a 13-4 lead heading into halftime.

Salisbury struck first in the second half just 44 seconds in as Alissa Talbert, who finished with one goal and two assists, found the back of the net.

The Captains scored three straight to get within 7, 14-7, but Salisbury responded with four of its own from four different players to go up 18-7. Christopher Newport would score two more, but the Sea Gulls handed the Captains their second loss between the two teams this season.

Salisbury owned the draw control, picking up 20 to Christopher Newport's nine, including five apiece from Hynson, Martha Hutzell, and Elaine Draper. Hutzell added a team-high four groundballs.

The Sea Gulls outshot the Captains 43-18, with Gianna Falcone making seven saves on 14 shots on goal in just over 49 minutes of action to earn the win.

Top-seeded Salisbury will host third-seeded University of Mary Washington in the CAC championship game on Saturday, May 5 at 1 p.m.