ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Northwestern won the NCAA women's lacrosse championship Sunday, finishing the season undefeated with a 13-10 victory over Virginia behind Kristen Kjellman's five goals.

It was the Wildcats' first NCAA title in any sport since 1941 in men's fencing. Northwestern is the first school outside the Eastern time zone to capture the Division I women's lacrosse championship.

Kristen Kjellman scored NU's first five goals en route to the national championship win over Virginia. (nusports.com)

"We have the best team ... that's what is important," Northwestern coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. "We had so many different players step up today. Everyone came to play and it all came together today, which is so exciting."

Sarah Albrecht scored three goals, Aly Josephs added two and Lindsey Munday had three assists for Northwestern (21-0), in its fourth season as a varsity program. For defending champion Virginia (17-5), Cary Chasney matched a championship game record with six goals.

The Wildcats trailed 7-6 but scored five straight goals to go up 11-7. Albrecht scored all three of her goals during the run, which began with 3:03 left in the first half and ended at 18:25 of the second half.

Chasney scored to bring Virginia within 11-8 with 15:50 to go, but Northwestern netted the next two goals while stalling most of the remaining time. The Cavaliers did not get their ninth goal until 1:44 was left.

Tyler Leachman scored two goals and Amy Appelt had a goal and two assists for the Cavaliers, who got just one save each from goalies Ginger Miles and Kendall McBrearty.

"Their goalie made saves ... that's the other glaring difference today," Virginia coach Julie Myers said. "It's hard to win a championship game on two saves. [Northwestern] scored a couple goals on very stoppable shots."

Northwestern goalie Ashley Gersuk made eight saves.

"I don't think you can win a national championship on just athleticism," she said. "We have good skills and coach Amonte Hiller has taught us the game so well."