Punjab Newsline, Sports :
Soorma Hockey Club concluded their Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 campaign with an impressive 3–2 victory over finalists Bengal Tigers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium.
Although the match had no impact on the points table, with Soorma already eliminated and Bengal Tigers having secured a place in the final, both teams displayed high intensity and competitive spirit, keeping spectators engaged until the final whistle.
Soorma started the match on the front foot, applying constant pressure from the opening minutes. Olivia Shannon created an early chance in the fourth minute but failed to find the net. Despite continued attacking efforts by captain Salima Tete and Shannon, the breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Sonam calmly pushed the ball into the goal from close range to give Soorma a 1–0 lead.
The Ranchi-based side maintained control for the remainder of the first quarter and carried their advantage into the break. Bengal Tigers tried to gain momentum in the second quarter and earned a few penalty corners, but Soorma’s defence stood firm. Both teams created chances, yet neither could convert, and Soorma went into halftime with a narrow 1–0 lead.
The third quarter saw a more balanced contest. In the 37th minute, Bengal Tigers earned a penalty corner, which league top scorer Agustina Gorzelany converted with a powerful shot to level the score at 1–1. The game remained evenly poised thereafter, with both sides missing half-chances.
Soorma regained the lead in the fourth quarter through a penalty corner in the 49th minute, executed neatly with Vaishnavi stopping the ball before Penny Squibb found the net to make it 2–1. Just four minutes later, Maria Granatto finished a well-worked team move from another penalty corner, extending Soorma’s lead to 3–1.
Bengal Tigers fought back late in the match, as Lalremsiami scored from a rebound in the final minute to reduce the deficit to 3–2. Despite sustained pressure in the closing moments, Soorma held on to seal their second win of the season on a positive note.