Box Score RICHMOND, Ind. — The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship came down to penalty kicks on Saturday and unfortunately for the Earlham College women's soccer team, the Quakers finished on the wrong side of the ledger.

After ending the second overtime in a scoreless tie, Transylvania University took the match with a 6-5 edge in penalty kicks. The Pioneers (11-5-3) advance to next week's NCAA Div. III Tournament.

Earlham finishes the fall at 12-5-2 overall, after claiming the HCAC regular season title.

"I told our team that champions don't always win," Earlham Head Coach Shane Meridith said. "Champions don't always finish first, but champions leave the field after giving everything of themselves and our players did that today. I'm more proud today than I've ever been."

"We played a solid game," Meridith continued. "The conditions weren't great, but our kids battled. Transylvania is a good team and what a great match. We have nothing to be ashamed about. We're not going to blame the weather, none of that. This was a great contest and it was decided on PKs."

Saturday's match was also the final contest in the careers of seniors Ikumi Doucette (Berwyn Heights, MD, Eleanor Roosevelt), Joy Doucette (Berwyn Heights, MD, Eleanor Roosevelt), Cate Simmermaker (Louisville, KY, DuPont Manual ), Paige Thomas (Bel Air, MD, Baltimore Friends School) and Ryder Comstock (Yellow Springs, OH, Yellow Springs).

"The seniors are outstanding individuals," Meridith said of the group that was 49-24-5 over the last four years. "They are kick-butt players and we're really proud of them as people and players as well."

The Pioneers led 13-11 in shots and 5-3 in corner kicks.

Earlham goalkeeper Ashley (A.J.) Johnson (Columbus, OH, Ohio Virtual Academy) had a season-high 10 saves for the Quakers.

Box Score

Career Stats for 2012 Seniors
• Joy  Doucette — 38 goals (second all-time in Earlham history), 34 assists (first all-time), 110 points (second all-time), 13 game-winning goals (second all-time).
• Ikumi  Doucette — 25 goals, 6 assists, 56 points, 9 game-winning goals.
• Ryder  Comstock — 17 goals, 3 assists, 37 points, 4 game-winning goals.
• Cate  Simmermaker — 14 goals, 5 assists, 33 points, 5 game-winning goals.
• Paige  Thomas — 9 goals, 4 assists, 22 points, 1 game-winning goal.