Athlete Spotlight: Kaia Hollingsworth

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications  

SALEM, Mass. --  Our athlete spotlight features women's ice hockey goalie Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.), who broke three Salem State individual records this past season. On January 20, Hollingsworth broke the all-time single-game saves record versus Elmira, recording 71 saves in the contest. On February 2, she broke the all-time single-season saves record against Plymouth State, stopping 33 shots; increasing her season total to a record setting 660 saves. On February 9, she became the all-time saves leader in Salem State women's ice hockey history, making 42 saves at Norwich for a career record 1,451 saves. 

The senior talked about how locked in she was against Elmira. "I made sure to focus on the current play. I tell myself "one shot at a time" and play my hardest. I hate getting scored on, and knowing that I could potentially set a new career and school record gave me some more motivation to keep playing my game."

The Methuen native spoke about how she was able to block all the distractions out during the course of the game. "During games I just focus on myself. I control what I can control. It is hard as a goalie not to get in your head, but it is also a position of mental toughness and short memory. I have trust in my team that they will do their job, so I can do mine."

Out of three periods, the last period of regulation is the toughest period for her to grind. "The 3rd period was definitely the toughest because I started to feel the fatigue set in. There were times where they had the puck in our zone for minutes at a time, just getting shot after shot. I was very tired so I made my best effort to cover the puck and get any whistle I could."

"I knew that the single game record was previously 60 saves, set by my current goalie partner Cassie Valentine. I didn't go into the game expecting to set a new record, but I was expecting a lot of action. Starting the 3rd period I believe I only needed about 14 more saves, so I started to watch the shot count on the board and when it passed 60+ I got excited and determined to get as many saves as I possibly could."

"I was proud of my performance that night. I remember Cassie banging on the boards and the bench was screaming for me. That next whistle I saw coach Dana ask the referee for the game puck, and that's when I realized what had happened. My team was really excited and they were supporting me the best they could. Overall an awesome experience, even though we didn't come out on top."

She talked about the significance of breaking the record at home in front of the Vikings' fan. "It's awesome that I was able to accomplish this record at home. My mom and some of my family friends were there. My dad was watching the live stream online, so both of my parents saw it, which is awesome. I'm glad they were supporting me and were able to see me have a once in a lifetime performance. My dad is the one who inspired me and introduced me to hockey."  

Hollingsworth was hearing buzz about potentially breaking another record  during the week heading into the February 2 game versus Plymouth State as she was 27 saves away from breaking the all-time single season mark. "It was mentioned once at practice, but I tried not to get distracted by it. I obviously wanted to set the record, but I needed to focus on the game itself and doing my job. When people did talk to me about the record, they were genuinely excited for me and they seemed proud that I was going to attain such an achievement. I'm grateful that I've had this team in front of me."

She talked about what coach Kizzie and coach Dana told her at the end of the second intermission. "Coach Kizzie came into the locker room and gave me a shoutout and said congratulations about the record. Coach Dana has always been awesome and makes sure that I get the pucks and recognition for my achievements. All in all everyone was excited for me, but we also had to focus on the game in front of us and I think as a team we did a good job staying focused."

During the final road trip for the Vikings, Salem State went to Norwich this past Friday where Hollingsworth became the all-time saves leader. "I am very honored. I'm glad that this year I've been able to prove myself and play to set these records. I can't be more grateful for the opportunities that I have been given this year. Hockey is such a big part of my life I'm glad that I can be recognized for it!"

Hollingsworth wasn't upset that she did not break this record at Rockett Arena. "It would've been cool to break the record at home. But I also think it is cool that the puck I got had the Norwich logo on it. I like looking at the different logos because it reminds me of all the talented teams we play in the [New England Hockey Conference]  NEHC."

The senior was relieved after breaking the mark during the first twenty minutes of the first period. "Yes. It was definitely a weight lifted off my shoulders, I tried not to think about the record, but it was in the back of my mind. I knew I was very close, but I needed to stay focused. I focused on one shot at a time and gave myself the best chance to make the saves I needed."

For Hollingsworth, she never envisioned breaking all three records in one season. "I never envisioned anything like this before. I am proud that I have been able to achieve these records. I haven't had the easiest career over the years, but I am proud to say that I have taken advantage of the opportunities that I have earned."

She expressed that out of the three record-breaking achievements, one is a little more special than the others. "I think the all-time career saves record is my favorite. Obviously all are special, but I have achieved this record in only three seasons; my freshman year was cut due to covid. To achieve something like this in three years is pretty special to me."

The Methuen native talked about how much credit she gives to her teammates. "So much. I couldn't have done any of this without them. They are my family and they mean so much to me. Especially the seniors/5th years, we have been through so much adversity over the years, I am glad to have had them there."