YARMOUTH ”“ The turf field at North Yarmouth Academy appeared to be level enough. Yet it was an uphill climb for visiting Kennebunk almost all afternoon.

The Rams, spotted NYA a five goal lead, then mounted a rally that fell just short, before falling 8-7 in an interclass girls lacrosse encounter, Thursday.

Both teams came into the contest sporting undefeated records, and both were runners up in state championship games, last year ”“ Kennebunk in Class A and NYA in Class B.

However, it was NYA that emerged with its spotless mark intact, thanks in large part to its five goal opening run.

“They (the Panthers) are better at starting than we are,” said Kennebunk sniper Jamie Spang. “It took us 15 minutes to get in the game.”

By that time, Courtney Dumont, NYA’s standout junior attack, had netted three of her five goals, while Kennebunk was scuffling while just trying to keep from being run off the rug.

“I think we were afraid to go to the goal at the beginning of the game,” said Rams coach Annie Barker. “There was no urgency. No one was trying to go one on one. We pointed out that when the lane was open, you have to go to the goal.”

In time, the Rams did, and as a result, were able to close the gap to 6-4 by halftime.

Spang cashed in a feed by Meghan Smith with 17:26 gone in the game to jump start the Kennebunk attack.

She scored again with a spinning left hander with less than a minute to go in the half.

“I think it (took) a couple of us to show that we could go to goal,” said Spang, who will play for Bowdoin College in the fall.”‘

Kennebunk continued to fight back in the second half.”‘

However, the best the Rams could do was trade tallies with NYA, and although they pulled to within one goal three separate times, they couldn’t get the tying marker.

“We just couldn’t put that ball in the net,” said Barker.

Maggie Lavoie (two goals) and Smith accounted for the other Kennebunk goals, while goalie Taylor Vaughan made seven saves.

The Rams will take the field again, Tuesday, at Yarmouth, with the opening face off slated for 7:30 p.m.

— Contact Dan Hickling at 282-1535 ext. 318 or dhickling@gwi.net.