JSW Soorma Hockey Club clinched their inaugural victory in the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 by defeating Ranchi Royals 2-1 at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. The winning goals were scored by Penny Squibb (1’) and Olivia Shannon (39’), while Agostina Alonso (35’) netted for Ranchi Royals.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club started aggressively, earning early penalty corners and capitalizing on the second one with Penny Squibb (1’) scoring to give her team an initial lead. Despite Ranchi Royals’ efforts to level the score, Soorma’s defense, led by Squibb’s goal-line clearance, remained resilient in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Ranchi Royals intensified their attack with numerous circle entries and penalty corners but failed to breach Soorma’s well-organized defense, maintaining the 1-0 lead for the latter at halftime.
The deadlock was broken in the second half when Agostina Alonso (35’) equalized for Ranchi Royals, only for Olivia Shannon (39’) to swiftly regain the lead for JSW Soorma Hockey Club with a successful penalty stroke. Despite Ranchi Royals’ relentless pursuit of an equalizer in the final quarter, Soorma’s disciplined defense secured a 2-1 victory, marking their first win of the season and confirming SG Pipers’ spot in the final.
