Episcopal is 13-1 overall and in a good position to win its first league championship since 2008, when it shared the title with Notre Dame.
The Churchmen, who got a pair of goals from Lexie Curry in Tuesday's win, have five league games remaining but have beaten four of those opponents by substantial margins. Only Agnes Irwin kept things close, losing by 1-0 in their first meeting.
The loss put Notre Dame's grip on the league championship in jeopardy. The Irish have won four titles in a row, including the shared championship with Episcopal, and eight of the last nine.
The defending champions jumped out in front of Episcopal, 1-0, on a goal by Nina Diamond with a little more than 19 minutes to go in the first half. Curry scored the first of her two goals two minutes later. The second came with 1 minute, 48 seconds to play in the half, giving Episcopal a 2-1 lead.
"It felt so good to get those two goals, especially against Episcopal - our big rival," Curry said. The two goals nearly doubled her output for the season. She had three going into the game.
The Irish started the second half with a pair of offensive penalty corners. They came up empty on the first one, but Taylor Leonhardt got the ball in the cage with 17:20 to play in regulation.
In the last 11:34 of regulation, each team had three offensive corners but couldn't score, forcing the overtime.
Episcopal goalie Giana Pileggi said she was nervous facing the extra period. The sophomore needn't have to be worried; Notre Dame did not get off a solid shot.
"I was nervous, but I had a good feeling that we'd pull through," she said.
Notre Dame coach Adele Williams was visibly upset about some of the officiating, but when the game was over, she passed it off.
"It is what it is," she said. Reminded that the Irish would need some help from other teams in the league if they are to have a shot at the title, Williams said her team "doesn't depend on other teams to do its job."
There are no postseason playoffs in the Inter-Ac, but Notre Dame and Episcopal could meet again. Both teams are expected to be part of the first field hockey tournament sponsored by the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Association. The association already sponsors a state tourney for other sports.
The tournament is scheduled to start Nov. 1, with the finals set for Nov. 10.
Episcopal 2 0 1 - 3
Notre Dame 1 1 0 - 2
Goals: E-Lexie Curry 2, Carly Ciccotti. ND-Nina Diamond, Taylor Leonhardt.
Saves: EA-Giana Pileggi 6. ND-Emily Fuss 5.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
