WALPOLE – Different look, same result.

A year after the Walpole field hockey team narrowly escaped with a win over Franklin in the Div. 1 state semifinals, the second-seeded Porkers (20-0-1) once again found a way to top its South rival on Saturday by beating the No. 7 Panthers, 3-0, in a Div. 1 state quarterfinal matchup.

Walpole dominated possession over long stretches as the midfield and defense excelled in building a wall around midfield, and Caitlyn Naughton’s two goals and an assist were what the attack needed to finally break through a stingy Franklin defense that held the Porkers scoreless in the first half.

The defending state champions are now headed to their fourth straight Div. 1 state semifinal appearance. They will play No. 11 Winchester with a trip to a fourth straight state final appearance on the line.

There’s many aspects to the team that looks different from last year’s, but the expectation to reach this point is set every season, and Walpole did what it needed to see that through.

“It’s nice every year,” said head coach Jen Quinn. “I never really know how it’s going to pan out. This group has worked so hard and they’ve improved every day.”

“It’s so awesome to see this team grow through the season,” added Naughton. “Each team I’ve played on, all four of my years, have been different. Each year it’s so special. … We play so hard and we work so well together.”

Franklin locked down the circle in the first half, withstanding heavy waves of pressure to limit the Porkers to just three shots on goal. All three were high quality, but Devon Barry (eight saves) had a couple highlight-reel saves to keep it scoreless. Haley Wernig and Raena Crandall led a few breakaways to spark spurts of offensive pressure on its own, building anticipation in a scoreless tie at the break.

But Walpole’s pressure kept coming, and Naughton finally set it up to get on the board in third quarter with a drive on a corner that Kendal Cusack tipped home for a 1-0 lead. Franklin responded with some more pressure up to the 25, but Naughton extended the lead to 2-0 in the final minute of the frame with a goal on another corner.

“We had a big momentum change from the half … we really came together as a team,” Naughton said. “It’s my last season and I want to go out with a bang. All of us do. … I definitely couldn’t do any of that without my teammates.”

Naughton’s second goal came with the game already well in hand, finishing off the 3-0 win with under a minute left in the fourth quarter.

Walpole’s defense smothered Franklin all game, holding it to just one corner and no shots on goal. Part of that stemmed from simply keeping the ball on the Panthers’ side of the field.

Franklin threatened, but the Porkers made it difficult for its forwards to find space around midfield and use their standout speed from there. Walpole defenders were positioned between the 45 and 35 yard-lines of the field whenever the attack brough the ball to the circle, making sure to clog up any lanes for transitions down the field.

And whenever the Panthers did find space up the field, the Porkers’ speed and physicality kept Franklin from turning the last corner toward a shooting lane in the circle.

“We really try to use every kid in every situation, and I just think it makes us stronger,” Quinn said. “But you also need speed in order to be able to do that. You can only go as high as you can get back.”