For the first time in goalie Beth Riley's four-year Michigan career, she faced the extreme pressure of penalty strokes against No. 15 Connecticut (9-4).

Michigan had fought through and dominated two 35-minute halves of regulation and two 15-minute overtimes, but the score remained 1-1. And, when all was said and done, the Wolverines would emerge with a 3-1 victory in the penalty stroke round.

Before it began, Michigan coach Nancy Cox did not give her team a long speech.

"The only thing I said to them was (that) they've earned the right to be in strokes," Cox said. "You earned the right because you have heart and perseverance. You stayed to the task and this is a wonderful opportunity. And in those situations, there's no pressure."

There was pressure, however, on Riley, who had never faced a collegiate round of penalty strokes.

"I was actually really nervous," Riley said. "I tried to hide it, just because my team was counting on me to do what I could, and I was counting on them to put it in."

Connecticut's Lizzy Peijs was the first to step to the stroke line. Her shot was at least 10 feet to Riley's right, completely harmless.

"It's always good to have the first one be a fluke," Riley said.

Defender Lori Hillman, who had tied the game at 1-1 earlier, slipped her shot past Connecticut goalie Melissa Bostwick to give No. 14 Michigan (8-6) a 1-0 lead.

"I would hate to see a game end (with a loss in penalty strokes)," Hillman said. "I felt like we really dominated them. We outcornered them and outshot them."

After Connecticut forward Laura Puddle and Michigan forward Lucia Belassi made their shots, Michigan had a 3-1 edge, and its fortunes lay on the capable shoulders of goalie Beth Riley. She had already denied back Jennifer Kleinhans's attempt with a dive across the mouth of the goal. Riley came through again, blocking Connecticut forward Meagan Hoffman's shot to give Michigan the victory.

"I love the pressure," Riley said. "I'm just glad it turned out the way it did."

Coach Cox was very pleased with her team's showing.

"Our senior leadership did what they needed to do today to bring home a victory, and it was an incredible day for our field hockey program," Cox said. "It wasn't a pretty win. It was a gut-check win, but it was a good one for the annals of Michigan field hockey."

Both Kara Lentz and Hillman played all 100 minutes of the game and scored successful penalty strokes.

"That is a testimony to their dedication and perseverance to this program," Cox said. "Our leaders stepped up and led the way. All five seniors are leading the way. They embrace the opportunity just to put the (Michigan) jersey on."

Connecticut took an early lead on a goal by forward Nicole Harmony, but Michigan captain Lori Hillman equalized at the 23rd minute.

"(In the first half, the) forwards weren't cutting back to the ball - they weren't demanding the ball," Cox said. "In the second half, we really challenged our kids to step up the level of play. And they did it."

Michigan took control of the match in the second half, out-cornering Connecticut, 6-0. Riley, after the early goal, was an impenetrable barrier in front of the Michigan cage, saving 14 of 15 shots on the afternoon.