SCARBOROUGH — The pain ”“ and it was considerable ”“ is only temporary.

The achievement will stand forever. Or at least for as long as field hockey is played at Wells High.

The Warriors’ storybook season ”“ the most successful in school history ”“ came to an end, Monday, with their 2-1 Western Maine Class B championship game loss to York, in the chill at Kippy Mitchell Athletic Complex.

Wells, which went 4-6-4 last season and missed the playoffs, and which was making its first ever regional title game appearance, came close to upending the defending state champions.

However, a two-goal deficit and a rock solid York defense proved to be too much of a hurdle to scale.

“We made history, for our school,” said senior net minder Deanna Gamache, managing a smile to brighten her tear-streaked face. “Just to get this far, in the sport I love most, was incredible.”

Gamache’s sentiments were echoed by senior sniper Hilary Bouchard, whose goal with 3:35 to play revived Wells’ hopes.

“It’s definitely an accomplishment,” she said. “In 30 years, we haven’t been here. We played our game. We played tough. We just couldn’t (go farther).”

Wells’ road to the Western final was a challenging one.

The Warriors won a school record 11 games in the regular season, and two rousing playoff games on penalty corners.

However, two of Wells’ three losses this season were to the Wildcats, both of them by one goal.

The task of dethroning the Wildcats was difficult.

But not impossible.

“When I walked on the field the first day (of practice),” said Wells coach Kristin Williams, “I knew I had a team that could come this far. I really did. Does that always happen? No. But I knew I had enough talent and ability to get here.”

The teams played to a standstill for the first 28 minutes, with each generating some dangerous scoring chances.

Wells nearly grabbed a lead at 16:40, when Haleigh Hudson and Bouchard nearly connected near the goal mouth, only to have the ball slide wide.

However, it was a goal by Stephanie Lomasney, which hopped in off a Wells defender, that gave the Wildcats the upper hand just before halftime.

York upped its lead to 2-0 when Cari Posternak picked up a knee-high bouncer and lashed it home.

The Warriors regrouped and pressed hard to erase the deficit.

“I know that there was a point,” said Bouchard, “where we got down for a while. (But) we knew we had to play our game, and step it up some more. We knew we could still score.”

Bouchard did cut the deficit in half, after cashing in a free hit by Sabrina Link.

But despite their feverish attempt at a last-minute rally ”“ which featured a long run down the left wing by Kelsey Lewia in the waning seconds ”“ the Warriors couldn’t net the tying goal.

“We almost had it at the end,” said Gamache, collecting her thoughts. “I love all (my teammates). I’m glad I had a chance to play with them the past couple years.”

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.