The penultimate round-robin preliminary of the ongoing Women’s Hockey India League witnessed Soorma HC earning a vital statement win by virtue of a 3-2 triumph against Shrachi Bengal Tigers on Wednesday (January 7). Having lost four matches in a row, leading to the departure of coach Jude Menezes, Soorma HC had a point to prove and did so in style, notching up two wins on the trot.
The Tigers, who booked their place in the Hockey India League final ahead of the game, fielded ace drag flicker Gurjit Kaur for the first time in the tournament while also replacing Jennifer Rizzo with Aditi Maheshwari in goal for a brief period.
Soorma HC thus played their last match of the tournament even as the Tigers will battle for the Hockey India League title when they take on SG Pipers in the final on Saturday.
Lalremsiami‘s searing run into the circle came to nought in the eighth minute after the Mizo striker was forced wide of goal by Penny Squibb. Olivia Shannon then angled in a great cross for Salima Tete, but the Indian captain’s shot was saved by Jennifer Rizzo in goal.
A dreadful defensive lapse from Agustina Gorzelany in the form of a mispass allowed Olivia Shannon the opportunity to sprint into the Tigers’ circle in the 10th minute. A miscommunication between Gorzelany and goalkeeper Rizzo gave Sonam the chance to slip the ball into the back of the net.
A sizzling zig-zag run from Olivia Shannon enabled the New Zealander to charge into the vicinity of the Tigers’ goal in the 19th minute, but a vital touch from Jennifer Rizzo allowed Deepak Thakur’s team a reprieve.
A penalty corner for a backstick resulted following a Victoria Manuele foray in the 36th minute. Gurjit Kaur played the ball back to the injector, Purnima Yadav, who failed to get a shot on target.
Penny Squibb played the ball onto Victoria Manuele’s thigh, just above the shin pad, resulting in another penalty corner for the Tigers, this time for dangerous play in the 37th minute. Agustina Gorzelany, who was already the tournament’s highest scorer coming into the match, added to her tally with a low, powerful drag flick directed to the left of the goalkeeper.
Soorma HC, now coached by Rani Rampal, earned a penalty corner in the 50th minute. Penny Squibb found the back of the net with a thunderous drag flick, making the most of a perfect injection and trap, enabling her team to regain the lead.
The runners-up from the previous season won themselves yet another short corner in the 53rd minute. Maria Jose-Granatto tapped the ball into the net from close range following an indirect involving a deft passing routine.
Lalremsiami pulled one back for the Tigers in the final minute by slotting in a penalty corner rebound after the initial drag flick had been stopped by Nidhi in goal.
Savita Punia played no part in the proceedings for the second match in succession.
Despite the win, Soorma HC still sit at the bottom of the Hockey India League points table
Hockey India League: Updated Points Table Women’s League Phase (Wednesday, January 7)
Hockey India League 2024-25: Women’s League Fixtures (Thursday, January 8)
Soorma HC vs Shrachi Bengal Tigers, 3:00 pm IST (Jaipal Singh Stadium, Ranchi)
Edited by Subhashish Majumdar