EAST LANSING - With no time left on the clock, the fifth-ranked
Michigan field hockey team set up for the ensuing Michigan State
penalty corner.

The Wolverines (4-0 Big Ten, 13-3 overall) lined up side-by-side
in the goal. Staring at the Spartans' impetuous offense, Michigan
squared itself and began to charge towards Michigan State. The
sixth-ranked Spartans fielded the oncoming ball and rapidly shot a
bullet toward the goal.

With no deflections, the ball charged forward until Michigan
freshman goalie Beth Riley dove flat on the ground to knock the
ball out of bounds, propelling the Wolverines to a 1-0 victory.

"It was just an amazing feeling to be a part of this," Riley
said. "It's such a big rivalry, but we all went out there and gave
it our all. That's what makes it such a fun game."

Michigan and Michigan State (3-1, 11-4) were the only two
undefeated clubs in the Big Ten going into the match. The win also
ended Michigan State's 17-game home winning streak.

"It's exciting," coach Marcia Pankratz said. "It was a really
good (field) hockey match. There was a great crowd up here and we
knew it was going to be a back and forth match. Michigan State
really brought a relentless type of play. It was just an exciting
finish and I'm glad we were able to hold them off."

Junior Jessica Blake opened the game with an early first-half
goal. Little did anyone know that Blake's goal would be the
game-winner, her third game-winner of the year.

"I don't really think about it much," Blake said about the goal.
"It's one of those things that the whole team puts it out there and
everyone on the team gets it in the goal. I just got the last
touch. That's just kind of how I see it."

The Wolverines maintained the tight lead over the Spartans with
incredible defense. Led by Riley, the Michigan defense continually
fought off the Spartans' attack. Michigan State out shot the
Wolverines 17-6 and was presented with corner after corner.

"We made a couple of adjustments on defense," Pankratz said. "I
was really happy with the results. We had April (Fronzoni) flying
on our corner defense and she stopped many opportunities, which was
obviously very successful. I was proud of our corner defense."

Faced with her one of her toughest games of the year, Riley was
a brick wall in goal as she had 10 saves in her fifth shutout of
the year.

"Beth Riley played a great game," Pankratz said. "You need a
great game out of your goalie in the big game of the year. It was
great to see her play so well. We told the team, especially since
you come up here or anywhere, that you are going to have to handle
adversity."

Michigan did not receive a corner in the second half and was
out-cornered 14-2 in the game. But with strong defensive play and a
stonewall in goal, Michigan kept its lead over the Spartans.

"The way my team came together made me realize that I needed to
do my share," Riley said. "I needed to stay poised in corner
situations and do my job."

The Wolverines also hosted the Hofstra Pride (1-3 CAA, 9-5)
yesterday. Senior captains April Fronzoni and Kristi Gannon each
notched two goals a piece in the 4-1 victory over the Pride.

The two goals by Fronzoni pushed her to a tie atop the Michigan
all-time scoring list (64), with Mary Callam-Brandes.

"I want to leave my mark," Fronzoni said. "I want to be known in
this program."

The win over Hofstra is Michigan's ninth straight victory. The
Wolverines will be tested when they take on No. 7 Old Dominion next
on Oct. 24.