Soorma Hockey Club finally registered their maiden win of the ongoing Women’s Hockey India League. On Monday, January 5, 2026, they defeated Ranchi Royals in a hard-fought victory by 2-1 held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. Meanwhile, the Royals add their first defeat of the league. Penny Squibb and Olivia Shannon were the goal Soorma Hockey Club gets first win, while Agostina Alonso scored the solo goal for Royals.
In the opening minute of the game, Soorma Hockey Club struck early with back-to-back penalty corners. Penny Squibb converted the attempt with her drag-flick to an early advantage and gave Soorma their first goal and a lead in the match. They remained in the lead at 1-0 until the second quarter, while pushing the Royals into the deep, who were looking for ways to equalize the score.
After the interval, the Royals somehow settled themselves and earned several penalty corners along with multiple circle penetrations, but failed to capitalize on them to their advantage. The pressure was built in the third quarter. The Royals found their first goal in the 35th minute after Hannah Cotter set up the ball to Agostina Alonso, who went on to pass the ball confidently through the goalkeeper towards the goal.
With the scores tied at 1-1, Soorma struck back, restoring their lead in the back with the second goal from Olivia Shannon, who got a penalty stroke. Meanwhile, in the final quarter, the Royals got under pressure to add another equaliser with strong defence and circle penetrations. But this time, Soorma were prepared and strong with players going for a low block to deny the Royals any scoring opportunity. Through a late attempt from the Royals, Soorma maintained the lead in the last quarter and got a valuable win by 2–1.
Soorma Hockey Club Women’s HIL 2026 Squad
Savita Punia, Nidhi, Jyoti, Jyoti Chhatri, Salima Tete, Ajmina Kujur, Hina Bano, Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Baljeet Kaur, Binima Dhan, Sonam, Mumtaz Khan, Penny Squibb (Australia), Shihori Oikawa (Japan), Sarah Robertson (Great Britain), Jimena Maria Cedres (Argentina), Vilar Del Valle Dupuy (Uruguay), Olivia Shannon (New Zealand), Maria Jose Granatto (Argentina)
Ranchi Royals Women’s HIL 2026 Squad
Madhuri Kindo, Bichu Devi, Lalthantluangi, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Neha Goyal, Nandini, Albela Toppo, Beauty Dung Dung, Sakshi Rana, Deepika Soreng, Sangita Kumari, Rutuja Pisal, Maria Elias (Argentina), Lucina Heyde (Argentina), Sabine Plonissen (Netherlands), Paula Ortiz (Argentina), Agostina Alonso (Argentina), Agustina Albertario (Argentina), Hannah Corter (New Zealand)
