JSW Soorma Hockey Club Clinches Victory Against Shrachi Bengal Tigers in Thrilling Finale
Soorma Ends Season on a High Note
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 7: The JSW Soorma Hockey Club concluded their Women's Hockey India League 2025-26 season with an exciting 3-2 win over the Shrachi Bengal Tigers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, according to a release.
Despite the match being inconsequential for standings, with Soorma already eliminated and the Tigers guaranteed a spot in the finals, both teams showcased remarkable intensity, providing an entertaining spectacle that captivated the audience until the final whistle.
Soorma came out strong, applying pressure right from the start and forcing the Tigers into a defensive position. Olivia Shannon was instrumental in Soorma's offensive efforts, nearly creating a scoring chance in the fourth minute, but the score remained 0-0. Captain Salima Tete also came close with a shot that just missed the target, while Shannon tested Tigers' goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo in the eighth minute, but her attempt was saved.
After dominating the early stages, Soorma finally broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Sonam pushed the ball into the net from close range, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Ranchi team maintained control for the rest of the quarter, heading into the first break with a well-deserved advantage.
The Tigers had a brief moment of possession at the beginning of the second quarter, but Shannon led another counter-attack for Soorma, although the final pass was off target. Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the match in the 26th minute, followed by another shortly after, but the Tigers' defense held strong on both attempts.
In response, the Tigers earned their first penalty corner soon after, which was effectively defended by Soorma. Lalremsiami attempted a shot on goal, but goalkeeper Nidhi made a crucial save. The Tigers had a short spell of control towards the end of the quarter, pushing for an equalizer, but Soorma's defense remained solid, keeping the score at 1-0 at halftime.
Looking to relieve pressure early in the third quarter, the Tigers held onto possession while Soorma continued their aggressive pressing. Victoria Manuele made a notable individual run in the 35th minute, dribbling past defenders to earn a penalty corner, but it resulted in nothing. Another penalty corner for the Tigers came in the 37th minute after a high ball from Penny Squibb, and this time they capitalized, with league top-scorer Agustina Gorzelany scoring to level the match at 1-1.
With the score tied, Soorma nearly regained the lead in the closing moments of the quarter when Maria Granatto shot just wide, leaving the teams even as they entered the final period.
Soorma wasted no time in the fourth quarter, winning a penalty corner just 21 seconds after the restart, but failed to convert. They earned another chance in the 49th minute, and this time, Vaishnavi executed the stop perfectly, allowing Squibb to score and put Soorma ahead 2-1.
The Tigers responded with a penalty corner three minutes later but could not capitalize. Shortly after, Soorma struck again from another penalty corner, with Maria Granatto finishing a well-coordinated team effort in the 53rd minute to extend their lead to 3-1. A referral by the Tigers was unsuccessful, and the goal was upheld.
Refusing to back down, the Tigers earned a late penalty corner with just over a minute left, which Lalremsiami converted on the rebound, narrowing the score to 3-2. They pressed forward in the dying seconds in search of an equalizer, but Soorma's defense held strong, securing their second victory of the season.