Mangalore University emerge champions

Mangalore University scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over University of Mysore in the concluding semifinal league match to successfully defend their South Zone Inter-University women’s hockey tournament title here on Friday.

In a winner-takes-all clash at the Chamundivihar hockey grounds, NR Swapna scored a brace, including a 51st minute winner, as Mangalore University wrapped up their semifinal league commitments with nine points from three matches.

University of Mysore finished runners-up on six points, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, third on three points and University of Calicut ended fourth after failing to register a single win.

In a fast-paced game between Mangalore University and University of Mysore, Swapna scored the opener for the former in the 24th minute. However, even before the celebrations could end, HP Sandhya slammed the equaliser for Mysore in the very next minute.

Both teams then tried hard and created lot of opportunities but none could lay the finishing touches. Swapna then settled the encounter with a fine winner in the 51st minute.

Results (semifinal league): Mangalore University: 2 (NR Swapna 24th, 51st) bt University of Mysore: 1 (HP Sandhya 25th); Annamalai University: 1 (N Ranjitha 53rd) bt University of Calicut: 0; Mangalore University: 5 (AH Kaveramma 25th, 32nd, 35th, KJ Chithra 47th, CM Bhagyashree 49th) bt University of Calicut: 0; University of Mysore: 8 (HP Sandhya 13th, 20th, N Ramya 17th, 32nd, BM Komala 24th, 50th, PP Rashmi 39th, 52nd) bt Annamalai University, Chidambaram: 0.

Final placings: Mangalore University (9 points) 1; University of Mysore (6) 2; Annamalai University, Chidambaram (3) 3; University of Calicut (0) 4. Individual awards: Best defender: Anjali (University of Calicut); Best midfielder: Ranjitha (Annamalai University, Chidambaram); Best goalkeeper: Nisha (Mangalore University); Best player: BM Komala (University of Mysore).