Alysa Liu skated with poise, grace and beauty Thursday in Milan, Italy, to capture the United States' first Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating in nearly a quarter century.

Alysa Liu put on an exceptional short program, Amber Glenn struggled after a strong start, and Isabeau Levito had a clean performance.

Alysa Liu said she doesn't need to win a medal in women's figure skating, but the U.S. needs her to so it can salvage Olympics.