JSW Soorma Hockey Club brought their Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 campaign to a positive close with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over finalists Shrachi Bengal Tigers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Tuesday.
While the result did not alter the larger tournament picture, it offered Soorma a deserved reward for their persistence and intensity, and a timely reminder of their potential. With Soorma already eliminated and the Tigers having secured a place in the final, the contest was technically a dead rubber. On the pitch, however, it was anything but. Both sides approached the game with purpose, producing a competitive and entertaining encounter that was decided only in the final moments. Sonam, whose energy and attacking intent stood out throughout, was named Player of the Match for her electric display.
Bright Start from Soorma
JSW Soorma set the tone early, pressing aggressively from the opening whistle and forcing the Tigers onto the back foot. Olivia Shannon was central to Soorma’s early attacking rhythm, nearly carving out an opening in the fourth minute. Captain Salima Tete soon followed with an effort that narrowly missed the target, before Shannon tested Tigers skipper Jennifer Rizzo in the eighth minute with a shot that was comfortably saved.
The sustained pressure eventually paid dividends in the 10th minute, when Sonam reacted sharply inside the circle to bundle the ball home from close range, giving Soorma a deserved 1–0 lead. Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Ranchi-based side continued to dictate the tempo for the remainder of the quarter, heading into the first break with control firmly in their favor.
The Tigers enjoyed a brief spell of possession at the start of the second quarter, attempting to settle into their passing rhythm. Soorma, however, remained sharp on the counter. Shannon once again led a breakdown on the flank, though the final ball failed to find a teammate. Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the match in the 26th minute and followed it up with another soon after, but the Tigers’ defensive unit stood firm on both occasions. The visitors responded with their own penalty corner shortly after, which was well defended by Soorma.
Lalremsiami then had a sight of goal, only to be denied by goalkeeper Nidhi, who produced a solid save to preserve the lead. The Tigers closed the half with a spell of sustained pressure, but Soorma’s defense remained disciplined, ensuring they went into halftime 1–0 ahead.
Tigers Fight Back After the Break
The third quarter saw a shift in momentum as the Tigers looked to assert themselves through controlled possession. Soorma continued with a high press, but the Tigers began to find spaces. Victoria Manuele produced a strong individual run in the 35th minute, weaving past defenders to earn a penalty corner, which came to nothing. Another penalty corner followed in the 37th minute after a dangerous high ball from Penny Squibb. This time, the Tigers made it count. Agustina Gorzelany, the league’s top scorer, unleashed a powerful strike to level the scores at 1–1.
The contest remained finely balanced thereafter. Soorma nearly regained the lead late in the quarter when Maria Granatto fired narrowly wide, leaving the scores tied heading into the final period.
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JSW Soorma wasted little time after the restart, earning a penalty corner just 21 seconds into the fourth quarter, though they failed to convert. They did not have to wait long for redemption. In the 49th minute, Soorma earned another penalty corner, and this time executed flawlessly Vaishnavi provided a clean stop before Squibb fired home, restoring Soorma’s lead at 2–1. The Tigers responded with a penalty corner of their own three minutes later but were unable to capitalise. Moments after that miss, Soorma struck again from a set piece. A well-worked routine ended with Maria Granatto finishing clinically in the 53rd minute to make it 3–1. A Tigers referral was unsuccessful, and the goal stood.
Late Drama, Calm Finish
Refusing to concede defeat, the Tigers pushed hard in the closing stages. With just over a minute remaining, they earned a late penalty corner, which Lalremsiami converted on the rebound to reduce the deficit to 3–2. The finalists threw players forward in the dying seconds, searching for an equaliser, but Soorma defended resolutely to see out the match and claim their second win of the season. While their campaign did not progress beyond the league stage, this spirited performance offered JSW Soorma a positive note to end on. For the Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the narrow loss did little to dent their momentum as they now turn their attention to the final.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, with live streaming available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
