Bay's Tessa Knapp Sets OHSAA Career Goals Record in Girls Soccer (Video)

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio – Thirty seconds into the second half of Saturday night's game between Padua and Bay, history that had lasted 15 years was rewritten as Bay senior Tessa Knapp scored her 193rd career goal, setting a new OHSAA Set girls soccer record for career goals.

Knapp surpassed the previous record of 192 goals set by St. Clairsville's Jaclyn Dutton in 2009. This achievement joins a long list of accomplishments for Knapp that also includes being named the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year and being a member of the United States U17 youth include national team and commitment to continue their soccer and academic careers at Notre Dame.

Saturday's game was abandoned after the record-breaking goal to take in the colossal moment not only for Knapp, her coaches and teammates, but also for the community that shaped her.

“It's been a great experience all four years from first year to now and it's nice to see my hard work pay off and score so many goals,” Knapp said. “Obviously I wouldn’t have made it if I hadn’t played with my teammates for four years and grown up with all those girls.

“It’s just special to do it with them and for them and for the town of Bay Village because I couldn’t have done it without Bay.”

Knapp needed three goals at the start of the game, setting a new record. It took some time to crack the Bruins' defense, but when they did it on a penalty late in the first half, the mood suddenly seemed to change and everyone in attendance could sense what was coming next.

Next came the record-breaking goal shortly after on a breakaway in which she ripped her right foot across her body to sneak in goal number 192.

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

Her final, record-breaking goal of the night came with a fresh ball that Bay coach Scott Simpson wanted to use for the momentous occasion.

“Bay is a football community and it just shows that if you work hard, have good support and live in a good environment you can excel,” Simpson said. “She is the epitome of that. Her work rate is impeccable and with all the football she does, she is an even better person.”

Relief came next for Knapp after she checked another goal off her list. Now she can devote her full attention to the final and most important piece – a state title.

“It's always been my goal, but of course the focus is on winning, so just keep winning and it will come when it comes,” Knapp said. “Today was just a special night to finally put an end to it and now focus on the playoffs.

“We are working hard and hope the journey continues and we make it to the end and win everything.”

Amidst all the celebrating with her team, the hugs and high fives, Knapp made her way through her team's crowd to share hugs with her biggest fans and supporters since she ever kicked a soccer ball.

“We knew how hard she worked and it's exciting to see her achieve this accomplishment knowing how hard she 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 football community and when she was 3 years old she played football in Bay and that's an achievement not only for her but for the community as a whole because of the development they've had gave it to her.”

Not only did her community show strong support for the moment she rewrote the record book, but Knapp said she was just glad her family could be there for the moment.

“My parents have been my biggest supporters throughout my life and it's special that they're here now, and my brother came home from college, which was so special that he came home to experience it,” Knapp said. “It was just great with the presence of my grandparents and everyone who was here. It was just great.”

Bay Village Athletic Director Matt Spellman spoke more about Knapp, an exceptional individual who is a driving force off the field that makes Saturday night so special.

“This couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl,” Spellman said. “I've known Tessa forever because I grew up with her family, my son was friends with her older brother, so I watched her grow up not only as a football player but also as a person and that couldn't happen. “It doesn't happen to anyone nicer people.”