Published: January 5, 2026 at 8:53 pm
JSW Soorma Hockey Club registered their first win of the Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26, beating Ranchi Royals 2-1 at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Monday. Penny Squibb (1’) and Olivia Shannon (39’) scored for the winners, while Agostina Alonso (35’) netted for Ranchi Royals, says a Hockey India League report on its website.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club came flying out of the blocks, earning a couple of penalty corners within the first minute. They capitalised on the second attempt with dragflicker Penny Squibb (1’) finding the back of the net to give her side an early lead. The Australian then made her presence felt at the defensive end with a goal line clearance in the fourth minute, keeping Soorma’s lead intact. Ranchi Royals pushed back to try and get back on level terms. However, they were kept at bay by the Soorma defence, registering only two circle penetrations in the first quarter.
It was an encouraging start to the second quarter from Ranchi Royals as they responded strongly and pushed Soorma on the backfoot. With 11 circle entries and 3 penalty corners in the second quarter, they knocked on the door in search of the leveller but couldn’t find a way to break down a determined Soorma backline that remained organised to hold onto their 1-0 lead at half time.
Soorma’s resistance was finally broken in the second half after Hannah Cotter weaved through their defence before setting up Agostina Alonso (35’), who fired her effort past the goalkeeper to restore parity for the Ranchi Royals. However, JSW Soorma Hockey Club regained their lead four minutes later, with Olivia Shannon (39’) finding the back of the net from a penalty stroke.
Chasing the game in the last fifteen minutes, the crowd got into the game, backing Ranchi Royals as they remained relentless in pursuit of the equaliser. The hosts pinned Soorma back in their own half and had 11 circle entries in the final quarter, throwing everything they had at the opposition. However, Soorma were disciplined in their low block and held on to register a 2-1 victory, bagging their first win of the season. As a result of this scoreline, SG Pipers have confirmed their spot in the final.
Agustina Gorzelany scored a decisive goal to help Bengal Tigers take three points from the game against Ranchi Royals. Photo: Hockey India League
Bengal Tigers move to second place
With a disciplined and determined performance, Shrachi Bengal Tigers secured a 1-0 victory against Ranchi Royals in match number eight on Sunday. Agustina Gorzelany (37’) scored the decisive goal of the game to help her side register three points and move to second place on the points table.
Heading into this match on the back of consecutive wins, Ranchi Royals began the game on the front foot with their midfield controlling the tempo in the opening exchanges. They had five penalty corners and seven circle penetrations in the first quarter but couldn’t find a way past Jennifer Rizzo in goal for the Shrachi Bengal Tigers. Playing on the counterattack, the Tigers had a late opportunity of their own before Bichu Devi Kharibam pulled off a couple of sharp saves for the home side towards the end of a stop-start first quarter.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers steadily grew into the game in the second quarter, making inroads and putting the Royals defence under pressure. They had seven circle penetrations and a couple of penalty corners as they attacked in waves in search of the opening goal. Madhuri Kindo stayed firm in goal for the hosts though, making crucial saves to keep her side on level terms to end a hard-fought first half with the score at 0-0.
Ranchi Royals added some impetus to their attack to begin the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock on a couple of occasions. However, it was the Shrachi Bengal Tigers who eventually drew first blood through Agustina Gorzelany (37’) converting from a penalty corner, scoring her fourth goal of the season to give her side a 1-0 lead. The home side looked for a quick response but couldn’t quite find a way to break the resolute and disciplined Shrachi Bengal Tigers defence in the third quarter.
Ranchi Royals dominated possession at the start of the final quarter as they remained relentless in their pursuit for an equaliser. Despite seven circle penetrations and five penalty corners in the final quarter, they couldn’t find a breakthrough as the Shrachi Bengal Tigers defence remained rock solid to help them bag three crucial points.
