WELLESLEY — Saturday’s girls lacrosse nonleague game between Central Catholic and Wellesley felt, at times, like a tournament game.

That was the level of intensity, and the play, for most of the early afternoon.

Ultimately, Central used a dominant effort on the draws, an efficient offense, and some timely saves in the fourth quarter to hold off the hosts in a 14-12 victory.

Central improves to 11-0, while Wellesley drops to 6-2.

“This is one of the bigger wins, if not the biggest (for the program),” Central coach Vanessa Pino said. “They knocked us out of the playoffs two years ago. They beat us in the Final 8 here. So we haven’t seen them since. In our heads, they ruined our season for us. They ended our season two years ago. So this is probably our biggest win right now, obviously other than our Chelmsford win in the Final 16 last year. But this is a huge win in our book.”

Central won the draws by a 20-10 margin, which fed possession for its offense, especially as it built its lead in the first half. Junior Kerri Finneran scored seven goals, and also had nine of the draw controls. Kierstyn Zinter took every draw and placed them where they needed to be. And sophomore goalie Anne Cashman made four huge saves from up close in the fourth quarter as Wellesley made a torrid rally.

“Definitely credit to Kierstyn,” Pino said. “She’s a draw specialist, so she’s perfectly placing the ball to where she wants it to go. But Abby (Yfantopulos) and Kerri (Finneran) … there’s credit to both. Kierstyn’s placing it and they’re knowing where it’s going and getting in the right position.”

Central went into the fourth quarter with a 13-10 lead, but Wellesley, as it did all day, did not let it get away. Tara Battaglino (2 goals) and Kaitlyn Uller (4 goals) scored goals to pull the hosts to within 13-12 with 7:54 to play.

But Nicolette Licare scored (2 goals) with 4:38 to play, and Central was able to make enough stops and hold on to the ball to keep Wellesley at bay.

In addition to Finneran and Licare, Yfantopulos and Olivia Rondeau scored twice, and Jacqueline Tattan also scored a goal for Central.

For Wellesley, Olivia Comella scored four goals, and Emily Munchak and Abby Beggans scored once apiece.

“I think we all have just good faith in each other and confidence in each other,” Finneran said. “We can all work the ball around. It’s not just one or two people. We all have confidence in each other that we can drive to the net and score these goals. Once we get a couple going, it feeds to everyone.”

Finneran was immense.

“Kerri got 300 draw controls today, which is a huge milestone, for only being a junior,” Pino said. “So, yeah, we’re wicked pumped for her.”

The teams came into this game ranked Nos. 1 (Central) and 2 (Wellesley) in D1 in the current power rankings. If Saturday was any indication, it would not be a surprise to see these two face each other in the tournament at some point.

Central Catholic’s Jacqueline Tattan, right, loses control of the ball under pressure from Wellesley’s McKay Pratt on Saturday. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)