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Samantha Metcalf scored on a direct kick with two minutes left in the second OT to notch the winning tally against the Highlanders, who came into the game with only two losses.
Vanessa Wolfe opened the scoring for Shepaug when she found the net with an assist from Lindsay Isaac. Northwestern's Morgan Jensen tied the game 20 minutes into the second half on a header.
Paloma Criollo made 12 saves in goal for the Spartans.
"We are doing it with mirrors," quipped head coach Al Ciarlo. "We are still playing without Ali Moravsky at sweeper, which puts a great deal of pressure on Sam (Metcalf) and Tiffany Waldron. But they have responded beautifully.
"We are getting good play from more people, and everyone has stepped it up. Vanessa Wolfe is really coming along, and she has now secured a starting role and scored in back-to-back games. Freshman Addy Dembeck is playing light years ahead of herself and another freshman, Melanie Wilbur, is also playing well, starting for Amanda Walsh, who is out for the year with a concussion."
Earlier in the week Shepaug topped Litchfield, 3-2, in double OT. Rosemary Galinski scored on a header off a cross from Jenni Isaac with 1:30 left in the second extra period for the game-winner.
Jenni Isaac opened the scoring for the Spartans and, after Litchfield tied the game at the half, Wolfe put Shepaug ahead eight minutes into the second half. Litchfield again knotted the game with five minutes left in regulation to send it into overtime.
Criollo had seven saves for Shepaug.
"I have said this before and I will say it again, these kids are starting to play more as a team and it is showing," said Ciarlo. "They leave everything on the field. Almost every coach we play comments about how hard these kids play. I say what we need to do, this is how we can do it and they go out there and perform. Constant hustle, non-stop from the Isaaces on down."
Shepaug, which is 10th in the CIAC state Class S rankings, plays at Nonnewaug Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
