This was the chance for Episcopal.

"They've been the champs since before these girls were born," Coyle said of Germantown Academy. "It's frightening."

Not anymore. Episcopal won the game, 2-0, to clinch the Inter-Ac title and end Germantown Academy's run.

For Coyle, in his third season at Episcopal, the championship has validated a defense-first system he implemented. This is just the ninth season that girls' soccer has been played at the school.

In 2000, the first season, Episcopal tied Germantown Academy for the league crown. This is the first outright championship.

"It adds more legitimacy to what we're trying to do," Coyle said.

After Tuesday's 2-0 Inter-Ac League win over Springside, the Churchwomen are unbeaten in Inter-Ac play with a 10-0-1 record, 15-4-2 overall. In the first meeting with Germantown Academy on Sept. 29, the teams played to a scoreless tie.

Coyle said his team had outplayed the Patriots in that game, but it did not lead to any movement in the standings. That game was the Inter-Ac opener for Episcopal. It took until the ninth game of the league schedule for the Churchwomen to allow a goal.

"It was just a matter of getting the right players in the right places," Coyle said.

Two of those players, Kristin Lee and Anayis Melikian, have anchored the defense as senior cocaptains. In the victory against the Patriots, Lee scored directly off a corner kick tipped in by Germantown Academy goalie Haley Curtin. Lee later assisted on the second goal.

Episcopal has played a senior, Kristen Robinson, at keeper, making the defense even more experienced. But Coyle said the Churchwomen also have four freshmen in the starting lineup.

That mix provided the perfect result for Episcopal and a changing of the guard in the Inter-Ac.

"It's cliche, but when you have no playoffs, every game is a championship game," Coyle said. "You can't lose a game. It's huge pressure."

Contact staff writer Matt Gelb

at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com.