#NationalSigningDay2021: Bailey Bennett signs to be a Spartan at York College

Courtesy of Dawn Bennett

Bailey Bennett poses with her parents after signing her National Letter of Intent.

by Sammie Hoefs, Jamie Donohue, and Connor Bennett

On February 3, Bailey Bennett committed to York College of Pennsylvania to continue playing soccer and further her academic career.

York College was Bennett’s match, even though she received several offers. The environment of the school was a huge factor in her decision. Bennett was sure of her decision of York College when she saw the school fit her academic and athletic needs.

“It’s hard to pick one thing I love the most about York, but I really love the athletic facilities,” said Bennett. “The soccer field and entire athletic building is very nice, especially for a Division III school.”

Bennett plans to major in nuclear medicine technology to one day work in a hospital or a practice as a nuclear medicine technician.

“I didn’t choose other schools because they did not check all the boxes I was looking for,” Bennett said. “I picked a very uncommon major that few schools offer, limiting my selection.”

Bennett has been playing soccer since she was three. Her club team, Baltimore Armour, developed her skills and gave her recruiting opportunities.

It was predominantly her parents, Dawn and Donnie Bennett and her coach Sam Haddad who pushed her to further her soccer career. Bennett feels her mom has been her biggest supporter throughout everything.

“By far my mom is my biggest supporter. She has only missed a few games throughout my entire life and was always the one driving me to my games and cheering me on, on the sidelines,” said Bennett.

Bennett’s mom is going to continue to support her, no matter the distance.

“I plan on attending every game,” said Dawn Bennett.

Another major supporter of Bennett is Paige Pohopin, her high school soccer coach at Linganore High School.

“Bailey is the most versatile player on the field. This is something you don’t find often in an athlete,” said Paige Pohopin. “When a player is able to use both feet or play anywhere on the field; It makes them unpredictable – it makes her a dangerous player.”

During Bennett’s time at Linganore she was a part of the State Championship team in 2017 and in 2019. She also helped her team win the Regional Championship.

In the Spartans 2019-2020 season, they finished 9-13. The Spartans recently hired coach Kelly Wakeman in the spring of 2020.