Athlete Spotlight: Aislinn Bennett

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass.- Our athlete spotlight features dual sport athlete, Aislinn Bennett (Milford, Mass.). Bennett currently is a member of the Women's ice hockey and Women's lacrosse team here at Salem State. On March 30, Bennett played a pivotal role against UMass-Boston when she scored the game-winning goal with 6:37 left on the clock to give the Vikings a 9-8 victory over the Beacons.

Bennett talked about how the game progressed and allowed her to be in that position, including her teammate, Laura Young's game-tying goal. "Laura was able to separate herself from her defender which left her open cutting from behind the net, and I was able to pick her out and she had a quick release which was a big confidence booster for me as she was able to tie it up."

Once the eight-goal stalemate was established, Bennett talked about the draw control and game-winning goal that followed. "I was really working hard to win it because I knew the next goal was going to be the biggest and if we could score it would give us our first lead of the game. When I won the draw, I didn't have the intention necessarily to take it right to goal, but they gave me the whole left side of the field, so I used that to my advantage and took the lane they gave me, switched to my left and shot it. They were busy covering the other attack as I ran up the field, and they didn't put a bunch of pressure on me right away, so I was able to kind of get the step on the defense."

The sophomore then backtracked and talked about scoring the first goal for the Vikings, which sparked their comeback. "It felt good, we were down 3-0 and I knew once our team got the first of the game the others would come flowing, so it did feel good, I was able to get that first goal and start the momentum of our offense."

The Milford native spoke about the opportunity that Salem State is giving her to play both Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. "I am very grateful Salem [State] gave me the opportunity to play both hockey and lacrosse because I get to be a part of two special teams with awesome coaches and teammates that have taught me so many valuable lessons."

She mentioned her on-season and off-season routine for both ice hockey and lacrosse. "In season for hockey we have a pretty consistent routine, we practice every day and lift twice a week then play Fridays and Saturdays and it's nice to kind of have that consistency because I am able to settle into a schedule pretty easily. For lacrosse we play more during the week, so it isn't as consistent, but I am still able to create a routine. In the offseason I play summer hockey for my club coach I have played with for many years and do weekly skills. I also usually workout every day. For lacrosse I work on my stick skills and kind of do stickwork in my backyard usually."

Most of the lacrosse athletes also play ice hockey with Bennett and she spoke about the chemistry and the bond that they have. "I love that there is such a big group of us that play both because I just have such a strong bond with all of them, it also definitely helps on the field because we already have that connection on the ice that can translate to the field."

The Milford native spoke about her pre-game rituals. "I would say I am a lot more superstitious for hockey, where I usually listen to the same playlist, stretch, get loose, and tape my stick all in the same order. But I would say my favorite thing to do is I always sit on our bench before the game to calm my nerves and I like to do this so the first time I am looking at the ice and am on the bench isn't right before the game."  This is what she has to say about her pre-game meal. "My go to meal before a game for hockey or lacrosse is a chicken caesar salad wrap, but for game days for hockey, especially away ones I always have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with me I eat before the game."

Bennett spoke about a goal that she had for hockey going into this past season and a goal she has for this lacrosse season. "My goal was to in a way settle into my position, the nerves of being a freshman were behind me, so I was ready to step up and help my team, and I feel as if I was able to do that. For the remainder of lacrosse season, I want to continue to help my team in any way I can, no matter what position I am playing. I am happy I get the opportunity to play another sport and want to help my team out however I best can." Additionally, she added what she wants to work on for the upcoming season. "For hockey next season I want to be able to be a leader for the team and especially for the defense. For the past two years I have been the youngest in our defense group, so I have learned so much from all the upperclassmen we have like Catherine Lawrence, Isabella Perrotti, Brenna Greene, and Tea Miles, and I am so thankful for everything they have taught me. But now coming back as an upperclassman I want to be able to help the younger players like my upperclassman helped me."

Back in December, Salem State women's ice hockey won the Vikings Cup and Bennett talked about what it meant to the community of Salem, "I think it was a big boost of confidence for our team, we play in a very tough conference, that has a lot of the best teams in New England and quite a few nationally ranked teams, so it is always great to play that tough schedule because it prepares us for these out of league games that we are able to succeed in." During the Cup, Bennett also recorded a personal milestone with her first collegiate goal. "It definitely felt great to score my first goal, I have been close a few times but to finally be able to get my first one felt so good, and it was just a bonus that Lawrence was able to assist me on it because we've been defensive partners for the past two years so it was just a great moment!" She spoke about her new head coach, Ray Kizzie, who managed his first full season with Salem State women's ice hockey. "I feel as I learned a lot from Coach Kizzie this past season, he has a very high hockey IQ and I think he made me better as a player being able to learn from him."

Bennett's mom has been a big influence in her life. "…she is always so hardworking in everything she does, and she is such a good role model. She holds me accountable, but it makes me a better athlete and person and I am so grateful to have her in my life."

If Bennett had to give advice to younger athletes who are hesitant or thinking about playing multiple sports it is: "Do it for sure! It is so fun being a part of two sports teams and it is an opportunity not many people get so if you can do it, take advantage of that opportunity… It definitely is hard, especially with the travel and time commitment away from school, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I just make sure I am aware of the days and weekends we travel for hockey and let my teachers know in advance and make sure all my work is done beforehand. For lacrosse, the games are more local here, but I still just make sure I am prepared. So yes, it is hard work and a lot of time management, but I wouldn't trade my experiences with hockey or lacrosse for anything!"

Make sure to come to Alumni Field this Friday night April 12 when Bennett and the Vikings face Westfield State for Massachusetts State Colligate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest. Game Time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.