SG Pipers stayed top of the standings as they defeated JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in their Women’s Hero Hockey India League encounter at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday. Even though Soorma managed to end their long wait for a goal in the tournament and took the lead on the night, the defeat all but ends their hope of finishing in the top two.
For the Pipers, Lola Riera (13’), Jyoti Singh (18’), and Sunelita Toppo (58’) scored a goal each, while Penny Squibb (12’) netted the only goal for the Soorma.
The opening quarter saw an intense end-to-end battle, with the teams trading early attacks and testing each other in a high-tempo start. Soorma struck first when Squibb – who missed a Penalty Stroke on Friday in the defeat against Ranchi Royals – converted a penalty corner to give her side the lead. SG Pipers responded immediately, maintaining their attacking pressure and earning back-to-back penalty corners. Their persistence finally paid off on the fifth attempt, with Riera converting it to restore parity, as the first quarter ended evenly poised at 1-1.
The second quarter saw Pipers push Soorma onto the back foot with sustained attacking pressure, earning an early penalty corner that went unconverted. The breakthrough soon followed, however, as junior India captain Jyoti found herself perfectly placed inside the circle to slot the ball home from close range, pouncing on a steal that was forced by her India teammate Ishika and put the Pipers in the lead.
The remainder of the quarter was played at a brisk pace, with both sides creating chances. Soorma came close to restoring parity through a penalty corner and a one-on-one opportunity for Sonam, but on both occasions Pipers’ goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino produced excellent saves to preserve her side’s 2-1 advantage at the half-time break.
Pipers began the third quarter on an aggressive note, creating a couple of promising chances but failing to convert. Determined to hold on to their slender lead, Pipers began the fourth and final quarter in commanding fashion, repeatedly testing Soorma’s defence and keeping sustained pressure to deny them an equaliser. With 10 minutes remaining, Soorma opted to replace their goalkeeper with an extra outfield player in search of a breakthrough, but the move backfired as Sunelita produced a brilliant solo run before firing into the empty net to seal a 3-1 victory for the Pipers.
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