Odisha Warriors emerged champions in the inaugural edition of the Womens Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 when they beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 in the hard-fought final at the Jaipal Singh Hockey Stadium in Ranchi today. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal scored both the goals for Odisha Warriors, while Penny Squibb pulled one back for Soorma Hockey Club.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren presented the winners trophy to Odisha Warriors captain Neha Goyal. Champion Odisha Warriors received a cash prize of Rs 1.5 crore. Dutch dragflicker Yibbi Jansen, the joint top-scorer of the league with five goals to her name, was the standout player for the Odisha Warriors.
Odisha Warriors and JSW Soorma Hockey Club qualified for the final by securing the top two positions in the preliminaty league. Soorma Hockey Club became league toppers with 13 points from six games, while Odisha Warriors finished second with four wins and 11 points. Runners-up JSW Soorma Hockey Club received Rs 1 crore, while Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers were given Rs 50 lakh for finishing third.
The Womens Hockey India League opened with a glitzy ceremony where artists showcased the culture of Jharkhand. Kalpana Soren, Jharkhand MLA and wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, unveiled the Womens Hockey India League trophy along with the captains of the four participating teams.
TEAM ODISHA WARRIORS: Goalkeepers: Englis Harsha Rani Minz, Jocelyn Bartram, Madhuri Kindo. Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Claire Colwil (Australia), Jyoti Chhatri, Anjali Barwa, Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma (Germany), Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands), Deep Grace Ekka. Midfielders: Neha Goyal, Kaitlin Jaye Nobbs (Australia), Baljeet Kaur, Sonika, Victoria Sauze (Argentina), Nisha, Nandni. Forwards: Freeke Georgette Marie (Netherlands), Annu, Rituja Dadaso Pisal, Sakshi Rana, Kanika Siwach, Michelle Fillet (Netherlands), Sadhna Senger. Chief Coach: Janneke schopman
MATCHES OF ODISHA WARRIORS:
12 January 2025: Odisha Warriors (Yibbi Jansen 16-PC, 37-PC), Baljeet Kaur 42-FG, Freeke Moes 43-FG) beat Delhi SG Pipers 4-0.
15 January 2025: Odisha Warriors (Freeke Moes 57-FG) lost to JSW Soorma Hockey Club (Hina Bano 6-FG, Sonam 47-FG) 1-2.
16 January 2025: Odisha Warriors (Baljeet Kaur 8-FG) drew with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (Beauty Dungdung 15-FG) 1-1. Shootout: Odisha Warriors beat Bengal Tigers 3-2.
19 January 2025: Odisha Warriors (Michelle Fillet 16-FG, Yibbi Jansen 18-PC, 47-PC, Neha Goyal 58-FG) beat Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (Udita 30-PC) 4-1.
21 January 2025: Odisha Warriors drew with JSW Soorma Hockey Club 0-0. Shoot out: Odisha Warriors beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2-0.
23 January 2025: Odisha Warriors (Yibbi Jansen 35-PC) drew with Delhi SG Pipers (Navneet Kaur 28-PS) 1-1. Shoot out: Delhi SG Pipers beat Odisha Warriors 3-2.
26 January 2025 (Final match): Odisha Warriors (Rutuja Dadaso Pisal 20-FG, 56-FG) beat JSW Soorma Hockey Club (Penny Squibb 28-PC) 2-1.
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PHOTO: Players, coaches and support staff of Odisha Warriors celebrate after emerging champions in the 1st Womens Hockey India League (HIL) in Ranchi on 25 January 2025.