Ranchi, Jan 12 (NationPress) Kalinga Lancers' goalkeeper Jed Snowden expressed the team's joy following their victory over the Hockey India League Governing Council and shared optimism about reaching the finals of the men's Hockey India League (HIL).

Snowden made a significant contribution after stepping in during the shootout, leading the team to a 3-1 victory against HIL GC after a 1-1 draw at the conclusion of the regular match in their third tournament outing on Sunday.

Ajeet Yadav (19’) put HIL GC ahead, but Alexander Hendrickx (23’) leveled the score for the Lancers, heightening the tension in the closing stages of the match. With no winner emerging during regulation play, a shootout was required, where Snowden's composure was vital.

He later reflected on the difficulties posed by the weather and the fierce competition.

“It was a very hard-fought game. The turf here is quite different than in Chennai, which caused some players to struggle with their skills. However, we persevered until the end, resulting in a draw,” he noted.

“We practiced on the pitch the day prior, so stepping in for the shootouts was not an issue for me. Securing that extra point in the shootout victory places us in a favorable position. Hopefully, we can make it to the finals, and being at the top of the table has everyone feeling great,” Snowden added.

After an initial setback, both Snowden and HIL GC’s James Mazarelo stopped the next two attempts. Arthur Van Doren scored for the Lancers, while Ajeet Yadav missed his shot, allowing Dilpreet Singh to clinch the win.

Although the campaign began promisingly, Snowden emphasized the importance of staying focused.

“It feels good, but we still have a long way to go. There are many strong teams left to face, and we aim to win as many matches as possible. Being in this position fills us with confidence because we’re performing well, and we believe we can finish on top,” he stated.

Snowden also highlighted the strong camaraderie within the Lancers, which he believes is key to their success.

“On and off the field, everyone is getting along really well, which is crucial for team dynamics. Understanding each other both as players and as individuals makes it easier to discuss hockey and how we can improve together,” he remarked.

Regarding the overall quality of the Hockey India League, Snowden pointed out the strength across teams rather than individual talent.

“The main difference is the abundance of international and Indian national players. Every team boasts numerous high-caliber athletes, but the synergy in team play is more significant than individual star power,” he said.

For Snowden, the tournament has been a unique personal journey.

“This is my first experience in India and playing alongside Indian players, which has been fantastic. Learning from their approach to hockey, as well as insights from the Belgian players based on their extensive careers, helps us improve both as a team and individually,” he concluded.

The Kalinga Lancers celebrated their victory, moving to the top of the standings and remaining undefeated in the tournament. Their upcoming match is against the Hyderabad Toofans on Wednesday.