All posts tagged: SG Pipers

Kane Russell hat-trick seals dramatic 3–2 win for HIL GC over SG Pipers in Men’s HIL

Kane Russell hat-trick seals dramatic 3–2 win for HIL GC over SG Pipers in Men’s HIL

Published by Webster

HIL GC produced a thrilling late surge to edge past SG Pipers 3–2 in their opening fixture of the Hockey India League 2025–26 season at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, with drag-flicker Kane Russell striking a decisive hat-trick. The contest began at a high tempo, with SG Pipers looking sharper in the early exchanges. Their quick ball movement and intent in attack earned them an early penalty corner, though they were unable to make it count. HIL GC gradually found their rhythm, responding with probing attacks of their own, but the opening quarter ended goalless after strong goalkeeping at both ends. The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with both sides trading circle entries and testing defensive structures. Despite sustained pressure and several promising chances, neither team could break the deadlock, leaving the match finely balanced at half-time. Penalty corner drama decides contest The game came alive in the third quarter when SG Pipers finally found the breakthrough. Ky Willott showed excellent awareness inside the circle to lift the ball over …

Hockey India League: Soorma Hockey Club register their first win in the women’s edition this season; SG Pipers qualify for final | Hockey News

Hockey India League: Soorma Hockey Club register their first win in the women’s edition this season; SG Pipers qualify for final | Hockey News

Published by Webster

It took four matches and the departure of their head coach Jude Menezes but Soorma Hockey Club finally registered their first win of the women’s Hockey India League season, beating Ranchi Royals 2-1 in Ranchi on Monday. Penny Squibb (1’) and Olivia Shannon (39’) scored Soorma, while Agostina Alonso (35’) netted the solitary goal for Ranchi Royals, who’s hopes of reaching the final took a severe blow after back-to-back defeats. This reversal leaves them in third spot with just one match to go against table-topping SG Pipers, who have in turn confirmed their place in the final thanks to Soorma’s win. Soorma came flying out of the blocks, earning a couple of penalty corners within the first minute. They capitalised on the second attempt with dragflicker Squibb finding the back of the net to give her side an early lead. The Australian then made her presence felt at the defensive end with an epic diving goal-line clearance in the fourth minute, keeping Soorma’s lead intact. Royals pushed back to try and get back on level …

Soorma Hockey Club part ways with women’s team head coach Jude Menezes

Soorma Hockey Club part ways with women’s team head coach Jude Menezes

Published by Webster

Soorma Hockey Club have announced that women’s team head coach Jude Menezes has stepped down from his role with immediate effect, following the team’s loss against SG Pipers in the ongoing Women’s Hero Hockey India League in Ranchi. In an official statement released by the club, it was confirmed that the decision to part ways was taken mutually and in the best interests of the team. The development comes early in the season, with Soorma enduring a difficult start to their league campaign. The club expressed its appreciation for Menezes’ contribution during his tenure and wished him well for his future endeavours. No further details regarding the reasons behind the decision were provided, with the club stating that it would not be making any additional comments at this stage. Rani Rampal named interim head coach Team mentor Ranii Rampal will take charge as interim head coach of the women’s team for the remainder of the tournament and will be supported by the existing coaching and support staff as Soorma look to stabilise their campaign and …

SG Pipers come from behind to beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in Women’s Hockey India League | Hockey News

SG Pipers come from behind to beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in Women’s Hockey India League | Hockey News

Published by Webster

SG Pipers stayed top of the standings as they defeated JSW Soorma Hockey Club 3-1 in their Women’s Hero Hockey India League encounter at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Saturday. Even though Soorma managed to end their long wait for a goal in the tournament and took the lead on the night, the defeat all but ends their hope of finishing in the top two. For the Pipers, Lola Riera (13’), Jyoti Singh (18’), and Sunelita Toppo (58’) scored a goal each, while Penny Squibb (12’) netted the only goal for the Soorma. The opening quarter saw an intense end-to-end battle, with the teams trading early attacks and testing each other in a high-tempo start. Soorma struck first when Squibb – who missed a Penalty Stroke on Friday in the defeat against Ranchi Royals – converted a penalty corner to give her side the lead. SG Pipers responded immediately, maintaining their attacking pressure and earning back-to-back penalty corners. Their persistence finally paid off on the fifth attempt, with Riera …

SG Pipers rally to beat Soorma 3–1, tighten grip on top spot in Women’s HIL

SG Pipers rally to beat Soorma 3–1, tighten grip on top spot in Women’s HIL

Published by Webster

SG Pipers produced a composed comeback to defeat Soorma Hockey Club 3–1 in their Women’s Hockey India League fixture at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, strengthening their position at the top of the standings. The match began at a high tempo, with both teams exchanging early attacks in an open first quarter. Soorma struck first in the 12th minute when Penny Squibb converted a penalty corner to put her side ahead. The response from SG Pipers was immediate and assertive. They continued to press aggressively and earned a series of penalty corners, eventually drawing level when Lola Riera converted on the fifth attempt a minute later to make it 1–1 at the end of the opening quarter. SG Pipers took control in the second quarter, pinning Soorma back with sustained pressure. Although an early penalty corner went unconverted, the breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when Jyoti Singh reacted sharply inside the circle to guide the ball home and give the Pipers a 2–1 lead. Soorma threatened …

SG Pipers edge past JSW Soorma 1-0 to maintain perfect start in Women’s HIL

SG Pipers edge past JSW Soorma 1-0 to maintain perfect start in Women’s HIL

Published by Webster

SG Pipers continued their winning momentum in the Women’s Hero Hockey India League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in Ranchi on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten run to two matches in the 2025–26 season. The contest was settled early, with Pipers captain Navneet Kaur striking in the fourth minute. Showing composure and skill, Navneet intercepted a loose pass in her own half, carried the ball forward at pace, beat two defenders near the circle and finished clinically to give her side the lead. The goal proved decisive in a match dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation. JSW Soorma responded with increased attacking intent, pushing numbers forward and testing the Pipers’ defensive structure. However, SG Pipers defended in numbers and closed down space effectively, ensuring they carried their slender advantage through the opening quarter. Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the match in the second quarter but were unable to make the opportunity count. As the pressure mounted, SG Pipers focused on retaining possession and slowing the tempo, forcing their …

Women’s HIL: Navneet Kaur checks off one item pre-season to-do list as SG Pipers start season with win over Ranchi Royals | Hockey News

Women’s HIL: Navneet Kaur checks off one item pre-season to-do list as SG Pipers start season with win over Ranchi Royals | Hockey News

Published by Webster

Heading into the second edition of Women’s Hockey India League, Navneet Kaur’s pre-season hope was to play more attacking hockey, combine better with her teammates, and contribute more from set pieces. “I don’t have a number in mind for the number of goals,” she had said to The Indian Express. “But I do want to contribute more. I want to focus on our Penalty Corner attack because it is something I did well in the recent Asia Cup.” And that is exactly what the SG Pipers captain did, breaking the deadlock against Ranchi Royals and eventually leading her side to a 2-0 win on the opening night in Ranchi. Despite Royals having the better of the early exchanges, it was the Pipers who got close to opening the scoring. A high ball, caused by Ranchi losing possession deep in their territory, bounced in front of Navneet. The captain smartly batted it down almost like a tennis forehand, into the circle. Bichu Devi initially let the ball through because the shot came from outside the circle …

SG Pipers open Women’s Hero Hockey India League with 2–0 win over Ranchi Royals

SG Pipers open Women’s Hero Hockey India League with 2–0 win over Ranchi Royals

Published by Webster

SG Pipers made a confident start to their Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 campaign with a 2–0 victory over Ranchi Royals at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. Led by captain Navneet Kaur, the Pipers showed composure and discipline to control key moments of the contest. Navneet opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Teresa Viana added a second early in the final quarter to seal the result. The opening quarter saw a tight contest, with both sides pressing aggressively but defences firmly on top. Neither team conceded a penalty corner early on, as play moved end to end. Ranchi Royals threatened down the left through Hannah Cotter, while Navneet Kaur and Deepika led SG Pipers’ attacking forays into the circle. Ranchi Royals earned the first penalty corner of the match through Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, but Maria Ortiz’s drag-flick was well handled by the Pipers’ goalkeeper. SG Pipers responded with a series of penalty corners of their own, though early attempts from Lola Riera were kept …

For Navneet Kaur, Women’s HIL presents an opportunity to explore her game and attack with freedom

For Navneet Kaur, Women’s HIL presents an opportunity to explore her game and attack with freedom

Published by Webster

The life of a national team hockey player in India can often get pretty lonely. It is a privilege of course, but it entails weeks and months spent in a camp in Bengaluru, the other times travelling as a unit to leagues and tournaments around the world. The return of the Hockey India League, however, has opened up new avenues – training with otherwise unfamiliar overseas stars, new coaching methods and tactics. For India women’s vice captain Navneet Kaur, though, another interesting opportunity fell on her lap. Ahead of the auction for the second women’s HIL, SG Pipers asked her to be a part of the team selection process. And not just by lifting the paddle on the auction table but being involved in the planning process. “Initially, I didn’t know why I had to sit at the table. But our new coach Sofie Gierts said, ‘Let’s make a team together’. She needed some help from me regarding the Indian players,” Navneet tells The Indian Express. “So when we started planning for it, I really …

Delhi Aces dominate on Day 2

Delhi Aces dominate on Day 2

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The second day of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) Season 7 unfolded with another round of closely fought contests at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium. Returning to the charcoal-coloured court, the players carried forward the intensity from the opening day as GS Delhi Aces and Chennai Smashers kicked off the action on Wednesday. The day began with the Women’s Singles clash between Sofia Costoulas and Irina Bara. Costoulas, who had delivered a strong performance on day one, continued in the same vein. The 20-year-old Belgian controlled the rallies from the baseline, showcased a powerful backhand and displayed notable patience throughout the exchanges. Her consistency guided GS Delhi Aces to a 17-8 win, giving them the ideal start. She then teamed up with Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan to extend her winning run with a hard-fought 16-9 victory against Irina Bara and Rithvik Bollipalli in the Mixed Doubles. Both Costoulas and Jeevan brought great energy to the court, strengthening GS Delhi Aces’ grip on the tie. In the Men’s Singles category, Billy Harris faced Dalibor Svrcina in a tightly …