Chris Raabe knows it has to stop sometime. She just hopes – for her seniors – this isn’t the year.

The Bow girls lacrosse team has reached the state final each season since the inception of Division II lax in 2002, and the Lady Falcons wore the crown three of those six years, winning in 2003, ’05 and ’07.

Last season, Bow defeated Hanover, 17-16, on a late-game Kiley Corson goal in the finals, avenging its lone loss in a 12-1 season.

Raabe, who has led the team to the title round each year, said this season expectations are no different.

“Skill-wise, we are very similar. Desire-wise, our desire to make it (to the championship) is probably a little stronger every year we get there because they want to keep it going,” she said. “The girls are pretty intense so far. Practices are pretty intense.”

The Lady Falcons return 13 players, and Raabe said they have the potential to be even better than last season.

Leanna Shea, a junior, and Erin MacDonald, a sophomore, return in net. Raabe said with a year of varsity experience under their belts, both are in position to excel in 2008.

And Bow’s attack is potent and faster than ever, said the coach.

Corson, a midfielder, and attacker Abigail Leach, both seniors, return with designs on another title.

Junior Mackenzie Langsten, who notched four of Bow’s 17 goals in the championship last year, is back as well, as are classmates Caitlin Pratt, Alison Meagher and Orli Gottlieb.

Senior Jackie Laboe anchors the backfield, and Caitlin Heindl completes a solid veteran core.

Sarah Large, who was called up from junior varsity during last year’s tournament, will contribute on defense, and Lauryn Wheeler adds to the Falcons’ attack.