PORTLAND — After losing the 2015 Class B state championship game in overtime, the Kennebunk girls lacrosse team rebounded in 2016 by going undefeated and beating Yarmouth 9-7 to bring home the title on Saturday in Portland.

The Clippers never held a lead in the game, while Kennebunk led for over 42 minutes. The Rams were led by senior captain Kyra Schwartzman with five goals.

“It feels great … this game was never about revenge, it was about proving what we have done and what we have worked so hard for. That’s what we came out and did,” said Schwartzman. “It’s something we have been working hard for each year. It seems like it was off in the distance and got closer each year. It’s a privilege to come out here and play with these girls.”

Kennebunk coach Annie Barker was happy to see her players finally take home a title.

“It’s very special because I have had four of them with me for four years. They play not only in the regular season, but the offseason as well – it’s great to see it come together for all of them,” said Barker.

The first half of play was a grind, with the score tied 2-2 at the 10-minute mark. Kennebunk’s two goals were scored by Kyra Schwartzman and Kristen Koch, while Yarmouth’s Eva Then and Cory Langenbach scored.

The Rams would catch fire in the final 10 minutes of the half by going on a 3-0 run on goals from Kyra Schwartzman, Hallie Schwartzman and Jenny Bush to take a 5-2 lead into halftime.

The Rams continued to attack in the second, outscoring the Clippers 3-1 in the first 16 minutes of play on three goals from Kyra Schwartzman.

“The girls were working to get me open, I just happened to be the one receiving the ball. Any of the girls could have gotten the ball on their stick – it just happened to be me today,” said Kyra Schwartzman.

The Clippers responded by scoring three straight goals, two from Then and one from Sophia Harrison, within eight minutes to cut the Kennebunk lead to 8-6 with 1:12 left. Olivia Sandford scored for Kennebunk, followed by a last-second goal from Then to close out the game.

After the Clippers cut the lead to two, Bush felt that Kennebunk’s leadership was the difference for the Rams.

“It’s so amazing, we couldn’t have gone out any other way. Our seniors were going to make sure that we weren’t going to lose this game,” said Bush.

Kyra Schwartzman and Bush are two of five Rams who will play college lacrosse next spring. Kyra Schwartzman will play for Merrimack, while Bush will play for Assumption College. Also heading to play at the next level are Liv Sandford (Bates), Carly Sandler (Lynchburg College) and Bella Kudas (Drew University).

Both captains look forward to the future, but will also miss the high school game.

“(I’ll miss) the girls and the bond we have, I don’t think I’ll ever be on a team the same as this. We love each other completely and always have each other’s backs,” said Schwartzman.

“I love playing with these seniors, it’s been so much fun playing with them every day … it’s sad to be leaving that. This is bittersweet,” said Bush.

— Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.