Women’s Hockey India League: Soorma score four times in frantic 10-minute spell to begin with a win | Hockey News
Down a goal after just seven minutes, Soorma Hockey Club scored four times in a frantic 10-minute period to begin their women’s Hockey India League campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 4-1 in Ranchi on Monday. In the men’s league match, meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Dragons defeated Delhi SG Pipers 3-2.
Hannah Cotter put the Tigers in front against the run of play. The New Zealand international received the ball after the Tigers got a free hit in a dangerous area and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to score her – and her team’s – first goal of the season.
Soorma, who hadn’t done a lot wrong until then, continued to press but did not have much to show. In search of an equaliser, Soorma won the first penalty corner of the match in the 11th minute but Penny Squibb’s drag-flick was deflected well the Tigers.
Although the Tigers had chances to double their lead, Soorma controlled the flow with some relentless attacking hockey. Soorma won four penalty corners in the second quarter and found the net on one occasion, in the 21st minute, but unfortunately for them, the goal didn’t stand after the umpire took a video referral and spotted stick interference made a Soorma attacker.
Olivia Shannon equalised in the 38th minute. Shortly after, Charlotte Englebert put them ahead before captain Salima Tete and Sonam added two more goals to put the result beyond any doubt.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, they won back-to-back penalty corners but Bengal Tigers keeper Grace O’Hanlon made a couple of brilliant saves to keep the lead intact. Moments later, Tigers too started attacking aggressively and won a penalty corner in the 33rd minute, but captain Udita’s drag-flick was thwarted the Soorma defence.
Soorma’s continuous attacking threats finally paid off when they found the equaliser in the 38th minute. Penny Squibb carried the ball from deep in her half beating her markers and passed it onto Deepika Soreng who left it for Olivia Shannon on the left. Shannon fired the ball into the bottom left corner, beating the outstretched goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Soorma completed their comeback thanks to a goal from Charlotte Englebert, which came courtesy of a successfully orchestrated penalty corner variation. Soorma extended their lead in the 44th minute as captain Salima Tete made a solid effort from dance and found the net from a tight angle to place her side in a dominant position at the end of the third quarter. In the 47th minute, Sonam converted a penalty stroke to complete the tally.
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