WEYMOUTH >> Entering Tuesday night’s playoff bout between Walpole and Westwood, most fans were expecting a nail-biter between two of the Commonwealth’s best girls lacrosse programs.

Caitlyn Naughton had other plans in mind. The UMass commit registered a game-high four goals, while junior Emily Hagan turned in a career game with four goals herself as the second-ranked Timberwolves pulled away in the second half for a commanding 14-6 victory over the No. 3 Wolverines.

“I think we work very well together,” said Naughton. “The draw, the defense. Our defense has never looked this good. Our defense really came out on top today. The saves, the slides, supporting each other and working it down to the field and making it to the offense. I thought it was an all-around team win.”

The tilt bore out as many had anticipated, at least in the first half, as the schools engaged in a battle.

Walpole (24-1) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, as Sophia Fruci and Hagan each sniped a goal for Walpole, before Quinnipiac commit Charlotte DeMaio answered with a shot to make it a 2-1 game with 7:19 to go in the opening quarter.

Later, Naughton and Hagan struck again, respectively, as the Timberwolves took a 4-2 lead into intermission.

Then, the floodgates opened as Walpole took over in the second half. After Cecelia Thurmond netted a goal to trim it to a 4-3 contest for Westwood, the Timberwolves punched right back, as Naughton potted her second to restore the two-goal lead 1:24 later.

With 7:04 to play in the stanza, Emily’s sister Grace Hagan converted a free position shot, and the Timberwolves had momentum with a 6-3 advantage..

“We played a great game,” said Walpole coach Mike Tosone. “I think we had to, to beat them soundly. I think it’s the best performance we’ve had all year. I’m guessing, maybe what happened in the second half is that our ride is pretty relentless. I think we’re similar to a basketball team that full-court presses all day long. I think it gets tiring. I think people get worn down, physically and mentally.”

After Bridget Hughes scored a goal to bring Westwood back within 8-4 later, Walpole continued to pepper the opposing cage. Naughton fired a rocket into the twine to complete a hat trick, before Jenna Wong put home a goal 35 seconds later to provide the Timberwolves a 10-4 edge.

From there, the team was able to cruise into the next round. Fruci added a hat trick for the Timberwolves.

Walpole’s win sets up a tilt with No. 4 Reading in the Div. 2 championship, which stunned top-ranked Notre Dame (Hingham) on Tuesday evening (an 8-7 final).

For the Timberwolves, it is the program’s fifth trip to a state title game. After falling short in 2024, Tosone and his group will look to end their long-lasting championship drought.

“Listen, the fact that they beat Notre Dame says all that you need to know about Reading,” Tosone said. “They’re a familiar opponent, a worthy opponent. (Rachel Monroe) is a great coach, great person. Should be fun.”