Sunelita is the toast of her teammates after scoring Pipers’ third aim.
| Photograph Credit score: R.V. MOORTHY
On Saturday, the denizens right here got here collectively to commemorate the 123rd start anniversary of Jaipal Singh Munda. A distinguished politician, achieved sportsman, and visionary chief, Jaipal’s legacy endures by way of the enduring 5,000-seater AstroTurf Stadium in Morabadi that bears his identify.
So, most likely there might have been no higher becoming stage for an evening of top-class hockey, as JSW Soorma Hockey Membership, final 12 months’s Ladies’s Hockey India League (HIL) runner-up, was successfully proven the door by the present version’s table-topper SG Pipers.
Coach Jude Menezes would have heaved a sigh of aid when Soorma lastly dispelled the hex after three video games and 24 unsuccessful penalty corners, however his happiness turned out to be short-lived.
Penny Squibb’s fiery swipe from the second battery beat Pipers’ defender Lola Riera and sounded the boards. However the latter was fast to make amends. A drag-flick from the three-time Olympian within the very subsequent minute clattered into the backboard to take her season tally to 3 targets — the joint-most alongside Shrachi Bengal Tigers’ star Agustina Gorzelany.
Jyoti Singh introduced extra pleasure to the high-flying Pipers dugout within the second quarter, dispossessing Shihori Oikawa in entrance of the aim earlier than burying the ball deep into the web.
Sonam virtually pulled stage within the dying moments of the primary half, however the Indian ahead’s try was thwarted by an alert Cristina Cosentino. The Argentine shot-stopper met the second as soon as once more within the final quarter when a deft contact from the opposition skipper, Salima Tete, momentarily threatened Pipers’ lead.
With 10 minutes to go, Menezes took off goalkeeper Nidhi to have the companies of an additional subject participant. However the plan backfired, with Sunelita Toppo flying by way of the suitable flank to fit the ball into an empty aim and seal Soorma’s destiny.
The outcome: JSW Soorma Hockey Membership 1 (Squibb 12) misplaced to SG Pipers 3 (Riera 13, Jyoti 18, Sunelita 58).
Revealed – January 03, 2026 08:25 pm IST
