The second edition of the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) served up its first nail-biting encounter on New Year's Day, as the Bengal Tigers and SG Pipers played out a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. While the Tigers secured a shootout bonus point, they were left to rue costly disciplinary lapses that allowed the early league leaders, SG Pipers, to stage a stunning last-gasp comeback in regulation time.
Gorzelany Shines in Goal-Fest
The match exploded into action early, with Argentine superstar Agustina Gorzelany demonstrating exactly why she was the most sought-after player at the HIL auction. She opened the scoring for the Tigers in the 6th minute with a thunderous strike from a Penalty Corner. SG Pipers responded quickly, with Spanish defender Lola Riera equalizing in the 10th minute.
However, the Tigers regained control with two rapid-fire goals. Lalremsiami restored their lead with a fine deflected finish in the 11th minute, before Gorzelany hammered home her second PC of the night in the 18th minute. This marked a remarkable turnaround for the Tigers, who were coming off a heavy 0-5 defeat against Ranchi Royals in their previous outing.
Costly Cards Trigger Dramatic Collapse
Leading 3-1 for a large part of the game, the Tigers seemed in control. Their defense, bolstered by the brilliant goalkeeping of American Kelsey Bing (referred to as Rizzo in the source), did well to thwart the Pipers' attack. Bing's standout save came from a PC, stretching her stick to the right to deny Lola Riera.
The tide turned decisively in the final quarter due to a series of disciplinary errors by the Tigers. With just 8 minutes remaining, Manisha Chauhan received a yellow card for a rough tackle, forcing her team to play with 10 players for a crucial 10-minute period. The Pipers seized the initiative, removing their goalkeeper to add an extra outfield player and piling on the pressure.
The situation deteriorated further in the dying minutes. Experienced campaigner Sushila Chanu was shown a green card for not wearing her protective mask during a Penalty Corner defense, reducing the Tigers to just 8 outfield players. The numerical advantage proved fatal. Sunelita Toppo capitalized, scoring from close range off a PC in the 59th minute. Then, with barely any time left on the clock, Lola Riera converted a Penalty Stroke in the 60th minute to complete an improbable comeback for the Pipers.
A Fair Result with Lessons for Both Sides
The 3-3 draw was a fair reflection of a rollercoaster contest that thrilled fans on January 1, 2026. For the Bengal Tigers, the match was a tale of two halves: sublime attacking prowess led by Gorzelany's class, undermined by a lack of discipline at the most critical juncture. They will be pleased with the shootout win and the bonus point but will know they let two points slip away.
Conversely, the SG Pipers will be proud of their never-say-die spirit and last-ditch heroics. However, they will reflect on their profligacy in the first three quarters, where they squandered several opportunities before their frantic final push. The result leaves both managements with mixed feelings—delight at the fight shown, but frustration at the points left on the pitch.
