KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk girls lacrosse team’s season came to a sudden end last year as the Rams lost to Cape Elizabeth in double overtime in the Western Maine Class B regional final. The Rams are hoping that doesn’t happen again this year, as they are reloaded for another postseason run.

Kennebunk was the top seed in the Western Maine tournament last year, but fell to the third-seeded Capers in the regional final. The Rams graduated five players off that team, but bring back 11 players, including seven who are now juniors.

“I think the positive is we have 11 of them returning, they all have lots of game-time experience, and they have a lot of experience behind them. The majority of them are juniors now, so this will be their third year at the varsity level,” said Kennebunk head coach Annie Barker. “And back-to-back years we got knocked out (in the regional final). So I think they’re probably ready to go all the way.”

Barker called the large returning core the “strength” of the team, but the Rams also will feature plenty of firepower on offense.

On attack, Kennebunk brings back senior Kristen Wiewel and juniors Kyra Schwartzman and Grace Robinson, as well as senior midfielder Hayley Fecko and juniors Jenny Bush, Olivia Sanford and Carly Sandler.

“We have a bunch of kids that can score goals, which is great,” said Barker. “We’re starting to rebuild our defense; they’re looking very promising.”

The defense still has Hannah Pepin and Tiffany Weeks, but Barker has to build around the pair. Junior goalie Bella Kudas will help in solidifying the back end.

This will be Kennebunk’s second year of its second stint in the Western Maine Conference. The Rams must face the Capers during the regular season, as well as fellow daunting conference foes Waynflete, Yarmouth, York and Greely.

“It only makes you better when you play the better people,” said Barker.

The Rams haven’t focused much on sudden death situations during preseason practice, but Barker said the team will be ready for such moments once the season gets into full gear.

The returning core knows all about sudden death games, and is well prepared to play them, whether in the regular season or possibly the playoffs.

“They’re all not only physically, but mentally ready to go,” Barker said of her team. “They’ve worked hard all offseason, they did a lot of conditioning themselves and strengthening themselves, and they’re just ready to play and ready to see what we can do.”

— Sports Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.