Fielding Questions with Beth Riley
10/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Senior goalie Beth Riley serves as the backbone in Michigan field hockey's defense. She has proven herself to be one of the best goalies at the college level, and recently received Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after back-to-back wins over Ball State (Sept. 15) and Louisville (Sept. 17). Her four-year experience in the goal is one of the key components to her team's success, as she commands the team's defensive line. Listing among the top five in nearly every U-M goalkeeper statistical category -- with school records in games played by a goalkeeper (72) and career wins (51) -- Riley has already left an indelible legacy within the Wolverine program. With an important conference game against Michigan State this weekend, Beth takes some time to talk to us about the pressures of being in the goal and her love for the Maize and Blue.
On her start in field hockey
"I started playing in 8th grade because my friends were on the team, and I thought it would be fun to try. I had played soccer and softball my entire life, and my friends volunteered me to play goalie, and I liked it."
On playing goalie
"There's a lot of pressure, but its also very rewarding. It's nice because you get to see the whole field, and watch your team play. You have a perfect view of the opposing team's goal, so you get to watch your teammates score great goals. Even if the game is offensive, I don't get board because I am always communicating with my defenders, and I am trying to help them out as much as possible."
On playing in college
"I had always had a dream of playing in college, even when I was playing in eighth grade. My middle school coach's daughter actually went here, so I have always had a dream about playing at Michigan."
On her most memorable game
"A lot of games standout, but the most memorable games are those of the Big Ten tournament last year when we won the championship. Last year we had to play the number one seed to get to the finals, and we also had to play Indiana who is a very good team, and had beaten us in the regular season. We came to the tournament with nothing to lose, and we just scored a lot."
On her most standout point of advice
"One of our sayings this year is: exude confidence; I think that's one of our team's biggest goals this year. Every time we go out on the field we are confident in ourselves and confident in our teammates, and we just try the best we can."
On playing at home vs. on the road
"I love the Ann Arbor home field. We live here, and we play here everyday. It's great to come out here with the fans and my family. Even though I live in Pennsylvania, my family always tries to come out and make it to the games. It's also fun to travel to different places with the team though. Last year we went to California and Massachusetts, and that was fun."
On balancing athletics and academics
"At first it was hard to balance the two. It was especially hard as a freshman because I wasn't use to all the hard work I had to put in academically and athletically, so it was definitely a big adjustment. It's easier now but still tough; there is a lot of time involved. The professors are understanding though too. If you show them that you are a good student, that you are willing to work hard, and you give them enough advanced notice, then they are usually pretty understanding."
On her favorite part about playing at Michigan
"I love being able to wear the Maize and Blue and represent such a wonderful school and something bigger than myself and even the team. It's just an honor to be here. That's the best part about it."
On her non-field hockey favorite Michigan sport
"I love football. I try to go to the games as much as I can, but we've been gone for most of the home games this year. But I am glad we are doing well, and I do get to watch the games on TV when I am traveling with the team."
On her plans for the future
"My major is sports management, so I would love to get a job with a pro-sports team or something like that, particularly something with marketing or customer relations."
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
