In an exciting match at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, the Odisha Warriors triumphed 3-1 over the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025. Michelle Fillet (16'), Yibbi Jansen (18' and 47'), and Neha Goyal (58') scored for Odisha, while Udita (30') found the net for the Tigers.

Recap of the Last Match

Just three days before, the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Ranchi, with Odisha emerging victorious in the penalty shootout, thanks to a series of crucial saves by goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram. This time, however, penalty shootouts were not needed, as the Warriors delivered a dominant performance. As a result, they secured a spot at the top of the points table with eight points.

Tigers Start Strong, Warriors Respond

Initially, the Tigers were the stronger side, making several circle penetrations. Nevertheless, they failed to test Bartram in the Odisha goal. In the 11th minute, Odisha's Baljeet Kaur made an impressive run down the right flank, passing to Rutuja Pisal, who forced a good save from Tigers’ goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon. The Tigers earned the first penalty corner in the 14th minute. Udita’s slap shot was deflected onto Ishika Chaudhary’s body, and the umpire awarded a penalty stroke. However, the Warriors successfully used their referral to overturn the decision, as the ball had hit Chaudhary above her knee.

Warriors Take the Lead

The Warriors struck first in the second quarter. Yibbi Jansen made a brilliant pass to Michelle Fillet, who fired a powerful shot past O’Hanlon, opening the scoring. Just minutes later, the Warriors won their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, and Jansen made no mistake, sending her drag-flick into the bottom corner to double the lead. With a two-goal advantage, Odisha continued to apply pressure. Despite the Tigers’ defensive efforts, the Warriors maintained control of the match.

Tigers Fight Back

The Tigers responded right before halftime. They won another penalty corner, and Udita’s slap shot took a deflection off a Warriors defender, creeping past Bartram to get the Tigers on the scoreboard.

Warriors Extend Their Lead

The third quarter was tightly contested, with the Tigers pressing for an equalizer. However, the Warriors' defense held firm. In the 38th minute, the Tigers’ goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo played the ball behind the goal line, giving the Warriors a penalty corner. Jansen converted once again to restore Odisha’s two-goal advantage. Although the Tigers managed to block another penalty corner in the 49th minute, Rizzo saved Jansen’s drag-flick with her foot, keeping the score at 3-1.

Neha Goyal Seals the Win

In the final minutes of the match, Neha Goyal sealed the win for the Warriors. Jansen’s overhead pass found Fillet in the circle, who then set up Goyal for a simple finish to make it 4-1 in the 58th minute.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, the Soorma Hockey Club will face the Delhi SG Pipers in the Women’s Hero Hockey India League on January 20 at 6:00 PM IST. Following that, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers will play the Soorma Hockey Club in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League at 8:15 PM IST.