Bay’s Tessa Knapp sets OHSAA career goal scoring record for girls soccer (video)

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — Thirty seconds into the second half of Saturday night's matchup between Padua and Bay, history that had stood for 15 years was rewritten when Bay senior Tessa Knapp netted her 193rd career goal to set a new OHSAA girls soccer record for career goals.

Knapp surpassed the previous record of 192 goals by Jaclyn Dutton of St. Clairsville in 2009. The achievement is added to a long list of accomplishments for Knapp that include an Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, a member of the under-17 United States youth national team and a commitment to continue her soccer and academic career at Notre Dame.

Saturday's game was stopped after the record-setting goal to let the colossal moment sink in, not only for Knapp, her coaches and teammates, but the community that helped to shape her.

"It's been an awesome experience all four years coming from freshman year to now and it's nice to see my hard work pay off, scoring this many goals," Knapp said. "Obviously I couldn't have done it without my teammates all four years and growing up playing with all these girls.

"It's just special to do it with them and for them and for the city of Bay Village because I couldn't have done it without Bay."

Knapp came into the match needing three goals the set a new record. It took some time to crack the Bruins' back line, but once she did late in the first half on a penalty kick, the mood suddenly seemed to change, and everyone on hand could sense what was coming next.

Next came the record-tying goal soon after on a breakaway that she ripped off her right foot across her body to sneak in goal No. 192.

Everyone on the Rockets' sidelines knew what was coming next, it was just a matter of when. Knapp didn't make them wait long after the start of the second half.

Her final goal of the night and the record breaker came from a fresh soccer ball Bay coach Scott Simpson had made arrangements to bring in for the momentous occasion.

"Bay's a soccer community and it just shows that when you work hard and you have good support and you have a good environment to be in, that you can excel," Simpson said. "She's the epitome of being that. Her work rate is impeccable and with all the soccer stuff that she does, she's an even better person."

Relief came next for Knapp after crossing another goal off her list. Now she can put her full attention on the final and most important piece — a state title.

"It's always been my goal of mine, but obviously the focus is winning, so just keep winning and it comes when it comes," Knapp said. "Today's just been a special night to be able to finally break it and focus on playoffs now.

"We're working hard and hopefully the journey continues and we make it all the way and win it all."

In the midst of all the celebrating with her team and hugs and high-fives, Knapp made her way through the huddle of her team to embrace with her biggest fans and supporters since before she ever kicked a soccer ball.

"We knew how hard she's worked and it's exciting to see her achieve this accomplishment knowing how hard she's worked," said her father, Jason Knapp. "She's such a hard worker, she's a team player, she loves her community. I think that's a big thing, Bay is such a soccer community and by the time she was 3 years old she was playing soccer in Bay and this is an accomplishment not just for her, but for the community as a whole because of the development they've given to her."

Her community came out and showed strong support for more than just the moment she rewrote the record book, but Knapp said she was just happy her family could be on hand for the moment.

"My parents have been my biggest supporters my whole life and just them being here right now is special and my brother is here home from college, which was so special he came home to experience it," Knapp said. "It's just been great with all my grandparents' presence and everybody's here. It's just been awesome."

Bay Village athletic director Matt Spellman spoke more to the exceptional person Knapp is off the field as a driving force to make Saturday night so special.

"It couldn't have happened to a nicer girl," Spellman said. "I've known Tessa forever because I've grown up with her family, my son was friends with her older brother, so I've seen her grow up not only as a soccer player, but also as a person and it couldn't happen to a nicer person."