KENNEBUNK ”“ While Kennebunk has been steadily establishing itself as a strong contender for the Class A girls lacrosse state championship, there are a few challenging Class B schools that need to be reckoned with. Wednesday, the Rams ran smack into the top of the Class B pack, Waynflete, and came away on the wrong end of an 11-6 count, in a non-conference clash staged on soggy Memorial Field.

Kennebunk (7-2) was outscored 5-2 in the second half, but it was the damage done by the Flyers (8-1) in the opening four minutes of the game that set the tempo.

Waynflete launched out to a 3-0 lead, and although the Rams did work their way back to a 4-4 tie, it was clear from the outset that Kennebunk was in for a tough afternoon.

“Defensively,” said Kennebunk coach Annie Barker, “we knew they could rip us apart. We knew if we could get the ball, we could put it in the cage.”

Gaining possession, however, was sometimes easier said than done, given Waynflete’s knack for forcing turnovers, then turning those into scoring forays.

The Flyers were paced by four goals from Morgan Woodhouse, who netted two of those in the first 2:01 of play.

“We could have stopped her,” said Barker, “if we could have just stood still. We didn’t.”

Kennebunk hauled itself back into contention with Brooke Worcester’s goal scored at 4:15, while the Rams were on the counter attack. It was a stellar save by Kennebunk goalie Kellie Renk that helped feed the transition.

Taylor Crowley chipped in a pair of goals, to bring the Rams to within a goal, 4-3.

Kate Graydon then scored with 11 minutes to play in the half, to make it 4-4.

However, by the end of the half, Waynflete had scored twice to regain the lead, 6-4.

The Flyers came out strong in the second half, pinning the Rams back while outscoring them 5-1 deep into the second half.

Kennebunk did pull to within 9-6, midway through the second half, but the Flyers netted two goals, late, to put the game away. The Rams will take the field again on Friday, at Cheverus.

— Contact Staff Writer Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.