Hockey India League: Soorma HC remain goalless, winless as Ranchi Royals prevail 2-0 with goals from Rutuja, Sakshi

Sakshi Rana celebrates scoring a fantastic goal for Ranchi Royals against Soorma Hockey Club. Credit: Hockey India League

They huffed, they puffed and – for a third straight match – couldn’t break their opponents’ house down. Soorma Hockey Club’s start to Women’s Hockey India League went from bad to worse as they suffered a hat-trick of defeats and are yet to score a goal after 12 quarters of hockey that has seen them make 87 circle entries in all.

And it was again of their own doing. Soorma had a golden opportunity to score via a Penalty Stroke and take the lead at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi on Friday night. But Penny Squibb failed to convert from the spot, thanks to a great save by goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo, and Soorma found themselves chasing the match shortly after. Excellent field goals by Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (30′) and Sakshi Rana (54′) gave Royals their second win in three matches.

Defences were on top in the first quarter as both sides hardly made any errors or gave away good chances to their opposition. Royals held more possession in the beginning, however Soorma made 10 circle penetrations in the first 15 minutes of the contest. In the 25th minute, Royals committed a foul inside the circle, giving away a stroke. The missed opportunity would come back to haunt Soorma very soon. With seconds left in the first half, Royals took the lead after Agostina Alonso played a powerful pass into the circle from midfield and Rutuja cleverly deflected it into the net.

In the 34th minute, Maria Ortiz came teasingly close to increase the advantage for the Royals as she did well to beat her marker and unleash a low-driven shot towards goal, but the ball struck the post. In the 54th minute, Royals eventually increased their advantage with a goal of the season contender. After receiving a clever reverse pass from Rutuja, Sakshi unleashed a powerful strike from a tight angle into the top right corner of the goalpost that left Savita unmoved.