INDIANAPOLIS — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament semifinals by winning a penalty kick shootout, but that was the Knights' undoing on Friday.

The fourth-seeded Knights (7-3-7) were eliminated at Carroll Stadium by top-seeded and fifth-ranked Quincy (16-2-1) after losing the PK shootout 5-3. The match is recorded as a tie, marking Bellarmine's program-record seventh of the season. The stalemate is expected to end the Knights' season.

"I am extremely proud of the way this group came together," Bellarmine Coach Chris Tinius said. "While all the ties are annoying, we only lost three games and we were in every single game. Even when we went to the Sweet 16 two years ago, we had a day when we got blown out. That experience of the number of pressure moments we faced will pay off as the majority of these kids move forward."

Quincy went first in the PK shootout and ended up sinking all five of its attempts. The final one, by Bailey Greubel, caromed off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net to clinch the shootout. Sophomore forward Olivia Taylor, sophomore defender Erika Joldrichsen and sophomore forward Annabel Moore nailed their attempts for Bellarmine, but the Knights missed on their third opportunity opening the door for the Hawks to seal the shootout on their fifth chance.

Senior goalkeeper Taylor Smith boosted her single-season program record for shutouts to 12 and tallied eight saves. Bellarmine's brilliance on defense was once again evident, as the Knights blanked their seventh consecutive opponent. Their six goals allowed this season stands as a program record, besting the 10 allowed in 2009.

On the flipside, Bellarmine was shut out for the eighth time this season. Friday's GLVC Tournament semifinal marked the 10th occasion this season the Knights went into overtime. Bellarmine did have its chances in regulation: Freshman midfielder Samantha Ferry ripped a shot that deflected off the inside of the post, and junior midfielder Audrey Van Der Elst fired a shot past the goalkeeper only to see it cleared on a defensive save by a Hawks' defender.

Quincy had some near-misses as well, with multiple shots hitting the crossbar. Smith also made a spectacular diving save to bat away a shot heading straight for a corner of the net. The Hawks finished with a 19-6 advantage in shots, including 8-3 on goal.

"We are very proud of our effort today," Tinius said. "Quincy is a great team that tests you in a lot of ways. We held strong again in the back. We hit the post a couple times and battled, but it just wouldn't happen for us. 

"I hate this for our three seniors," Tinius added of Smith, defender Kelsey Lober and midfielder Sam Tilton. "They have been great for our program, and we appreciate everything they've done. Their comments to the team after the game and those of the younger players showed what a great culture they helped create this year. Things were certainly up and down from a soccer perspective, but as a group of people this was one of the more enjoyable groups I've ever worked with."

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