Women’s HIL 2025-26: Shrachi Bengal Tigers pips SG Pipers 4-3 in shootout
Shrachi Bengal Tigers held its nerve in a dramatic Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter to edge past SG Pipers in a shootout after the two sides were locked at 3-3 at the end of regulation time, with Lalremsiami’s sudden-death conversion sealing the bonus point.
Agustina Gorzelany (6’, 18’) and Lalremsiami (11’) netted goals for the Tigers in regular time, while Lola Riera (10’, 60’) and Sunelita Toppo (59’) scored for the SG Pipers.
The Tigers started aggressively with an early circle entry, but SG Pipers absorbed the pressure and responded with swift passing to test their opponent’s defence. The Tigers soon earned back-to-back penalty corners, converting the second through Gorzelany to take the lead. The response from the Pipers was immediate as they won a penalty corner of their own, with Lola slotting home a well-placed effort.
The parity was short-lived, with Lalremsiami restoring the Tigers’ advantage through a deft deflection, giving her side a 2-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The Tigers then extended their lead in the second quarter as Gorzelany struck again from a penalty corner. Despite sustained attacks from SG Pipers, the Tigers’ goalkeeper, Jennifer Rizzo, produced a series of fine saves to keep her side 3-1 ahead at halftime.
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SG Pipers began the second half on the front foot, launching immediate attacks and earning a penalty corner early on, but they were unable to make it count. Undeterred, the team kept knocking on the door with sustained pressure and repeated circle entries, testing the Tigers’ defence through the third quarter. However, resolute defending and disciplined goalkeeping from Shrachi Bengal Tigers ensured the scoreline remained unchanged.
The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern, with SG Pipers enjoying the bulk of the possession and dictating the tempo of the game. The side’s dominance finally paid dividends with just over two minutes remaining when it won a penalty corner. Captain Navneet Kaur unleashed a fierce shot that was deftly deflected by Sunelita to cut the deficit to a single goal.
The late surge continued as the Pipers earned a penalty stroke in the dying seconds of the match, which Lola calmly converted to complete a remarkable comeback before things went the Tigers’ way in the shootout.
Published on Jan 01, 2026