Ice-cool in the shootout, relentless in spirit, SG Pipers held their nerve to lift the Women’s Hockey India League 2025–26 title, edging past Shrachi Bengal Tigers 3-2 after penalties following a gripping 1-1 final on Saturday.
The championship clash had everything — early breakthroughs, goal-line heroics, post-rattling drama and a shootout that crowned Pipers as deserved champions.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers struck first in the 16th minute when Lalremsiami controlled a sharp midfield pass from Sushila Chanu and unleashed a fierce strike to give her side the lead. The Tigers carried that advantage into half-time, despite SG Pipers threatening repeatedly through Juana Castellaro and Lola Riera.
The momentum swung after the break. Bengal dominated the third
quarter, coming agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Agustina Gorzelany’s drag-flick kissed the post, before goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino kept Pipers alive with stunning back-to-back saves.
Pipers finally broke through in the 53rd minute. Sustained pressure paid off when Preeti Dubey’s backhander deflected off goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo’s stick and into the net, forcing the final into a dramatic shootout.
That’s where Bansari Solanki emerged as the night’s hero. The Pipers goalkeeper produced three clutch saves, including a penalty stroke, as Navneet Kaur, Juana Castellaro and Lola Riera converted with authority to seal the title.
Navneet’s leadership was fittingly rewarded as she was named Player of the Tournament, while Solanki walked away with the Best Goalkeeper award. Bengal Tigers’ Agustina Gorzelany finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
The triumph earned SG Pipers ₹1.5 crore in prize money, capping a campaign defined by composure, courage and championship nerve — and ending with silverware in their grasp.
(with PTI inputs)
