_~ __Captain Navneet Kaur (27′) and Teresa Viana (46′) scored the goals
for SG Pipers __~_
Ranchi, 28th December 2025: Spirited SG Pipers defeated Ranchi Royals
2-0 in the opening match of the Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL)
2025-26 Season at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium
in Ranchi on Sunday. Captain Navneet Kaur (27′) and Teresa Viana (46′)
scored the goals for SG Pipers.
The first quarter of the match was extremely tight with end-to-end
action by both the sides. Defences were on top as not a single penalty
corner was given away in the opening minutes of the contest. Hannah
Cotter of Ranchi Royals was creating problems for her opponents on the
left flank while the attacking duo of Navneet Kaur and Deepika were
making the majority of circle entries for the SG Pipers in the first
half.
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal won the first penalty corner of the evening for
Ranchi Royals however, the opportunity was squandered as Maria Ortiz’s
dragflick was saved by the keeper. On the other end in the 25th minute,
SG Pipers won back-to-back penalty corners but Lola Riera’s shots on
goal were denied by the Royals. Two minutes later, Pipers won yet
another penalty corner but this time, it was successfully converted by
their Captain Navneet Kaur (27′) with a powerful shot to score the first
goal of Women’s Hero HIL 2025-26 season.
The third quarter saw Ranchi Royals win three more penalty corners but
the home side failed to find the equaliser. In the opening minutes of
the second half, Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo orchestrated a great
passage of play from the left as the captain took a shot, eyeing the top
corner but Ranchi Royals’ Bichu Devi Kharibam made a decisive save.
Moments later, Royals came extremely close as Lucina von der Heyde’s
shot from a penalty corner was deflected away from goal by Lola Riera to
keep the Pipers’ lead intact. SG Pipers made another threat on goal as
Preeti Dubey found the ball inside the circle but her low-driven shot
was saved by the goalkeeper.
In the first minute of the final quarter itself, SG Pipers increased
their advantage thanks to Teresa Viana (46′), who found acres of space
on the left as she dribbled past the charging Ranchi Royals’ goalkeeper
and slotted the ball into the net. The Pipers held onto their lead in
the remaining minutes of the match to claim a crucial win and begin
their Hero HIL campaign on a dominant note.
