Lancers pip HIL GC 3-1

 

 

JED Snow den came off the bench in the shoot-out to securea3-1 win for the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers against HIL GC after the two teams were locked1-1 at the end of regulation time in the men’s Hockey India League (HIL) here on Sunday. Ajeet Yadav (19th) and Alexander Hendrickx (23rd) scored for their respective sides inregulation time at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium.

 

The shoot-outwas also a tense affair with both goal keepers standing tall in goal. After conceding a goal on their respective first attempts, James Mazarelo and Jed Snowden denied the next two takers. Arthur Van Doren held his nerve for the Lancers before Ajeet Yadav missed for HIL GC, allowing Dilpreet Singh to seal thedeal for the Lancers in the shoot-out.

 

With that result, the Lancers moved to the top of the table. In another match, Ranchi Royals secured their first win of the tournament this season, defeating defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers 4-1. The Royals staged a massive late-game comeback, scoring four times in the final six minutes to snatch all three points. While Ketan Kushwaha (26th) scored thesolitary goal for Tigers, Tom Boon (60th),Sharp Lachlan(58th), Mandeep Singh (56th) and Tom Boon (54th) sounded the board for Royals. Earlier, the Lancers didn’t concede a single penalty corner throughout the contest.

 

HIL GC dictated terms in the opening exchanges but couldn’t quite make any significant inroads despite the six circle entries. The Lancers held theirshape, registering six circle entries of their own while playing on the counter attack. They did earn the first real opportunity of the game with apenalty corner,but couldn’t make it count in a goal less first quarter. HIL GC took the lead fromtheir first attempton target in the second quarter.

 

Captain Hardik Singh orche strated the move from midfield, before Ajeet tapped in his effort from close range to break the deadlock. The Lancers had a couple of shots on goal and six penalty corners in a span of a couple minutes. They eventually found away past HIL GC goalkeeper James Mazarelo courtesy a powerful dragflick from Hendrickx, levelling the scores at half time