Soorma Hockey Club concluded their Women's Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 campaign on a triumphant note, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the finals-bound Shrachi Bengal Tigers. The match was played on Tuesday, January 7, 2026, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
A Strong Finish for Last Year's Finalists
Despite a season where they struggled to consistently find their top form, last year's finalists, Soorma HC, finished the league stage with back-to-back wins. This final victory allowed them to end their campaign with six points. Although the match was a dead rubber, with Soorma out of finals contention and the Tigers already assured of their spot, both teams delivered an intense and entertaining contest that kept the spectators engaged until the final whistle.
Match Highlights: A Game of Momentum Swings
Soorma began the match with aggressive intent, putting the Bengal Tigers under immediate pressure. Their early dominance paid off in the 10th minute when forward Sonam scored from close range to give her team a 1-0 lead. Olivia Shannon was instrumental in Soorma's attacking moves throughout the first half.
The Tigers, however, fought back in the third quarter. After earning a penalty corner in the 37th minute, league top-scorer Agustina Gorzelany powered a shot into the net to equalize at 1-1.
The final quarter saw Soorma reclaim control decisively. They converted two crucial penalty corners: first, Penny Squibb scored in the 49th minute to make it 2-1, and then Maria Granatto found the target in the 53rd minute to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Tigers mounted a late comeback attempt, with Lalremsiami scoring from a rebound on a penalty corner with just over a minute remaining to narrow the deficit to 3-2. Despite a frantic final push from the Tigers, Soorma's defense held firm to secure the victory.
End of Season Reflections
This win marks a positive end to a challenging season for Soorma Hockey Club. While they could not replicate their finals run from the previous year, the team demonstrated significant character and skill to finish strongly. For the Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the focus now shifts to the upcoming finals, where they will look to carry forward the lessons from this closely contested match. The game in Ranchi served as a fine advertisement for the competitive spirit and high quality of women's hockey in the Hockey India League.
