Priyanka Hat-Trick Helps Odisha Claim Bronze In Sub-Junior Women’s National Hockey

Bhubaneswar: Odisha girls claimed the bronze medal in the 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women’s National championship which concluded at Secunderabad on Friday.

Odisha rode Priyanka Minz’s first-quarter hat-trick to down Mizoram 4-3 in the third-place playoff clash.

After Anjana Xaxa gave Odisha the lead four minutes into the match, Priyanka destroyed Mizoram with three goals in the space of four minutes inside the opening 15 minutes.

Up 4-0 in the first quarter itself, Odisha took their foot off the pedal in the second half to give Mizoram a semblance of hope.

Mizoram, who trailed 1-4 at half-time, scored twice through Vanlalrinhlui (36’, 52’). But the equaliser remained elusive for Mizoram as a determined Odisha side ensured victory and earned Rs 1 lakh.

Jharkhand lifted the title beating Madhya Pradesh 1-0 in a well-contested final to pocket a cheque for Rs 3 lakh.

Hemrom Leoni scored the matchwinner in the closing moments of the first quarter.

Jharkhand remained unbeaten in the tournament, conceding just one goal in regular play – against Odisha in the semifinal. Odisha ran Jharkhand close only to lose 2-3 in the shootout after the teams were level 1-1 in regulation time.