Coach Norman Signs Future Irish Trio

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The theme of the 2024 season for Notre Dame women’s soccer has been how impressive the freshmen class has been from top-to-bottom. On Wednesday afternoon, Doug and Lisa Jones Head Women’s Soccer Coach Nate Norman added to the bright future of the program with three 2025 class signees.

Joining the Irish for the fall 2025 season are: 

• Tessa Knapp (Bay Village, Ohio // Internationals SC)
• Alessia Saia (Delray Beach, Florida // FC Prime ECNL)
• Gianna Scott (Avon, Ohio // Internationals SC)

Coach Norman on class

“This is a class of only three players but a very exciting one. We believe we are adding three exceptional players and people to what will be a very strong team in 2025. We can’t wait to get them on campus!”

Tessa Knapp
Forward from Bay Village, OH
Bay High | Internationals SC (OH)

• Ranked 22nd nationally in her class by Top Drawer Soccer
• Broke the all-time OHSAA goals record of 192 on October 9. Finished her career with 212 goals
• Scored a single-season record of 64 goals this past season (2024)
• Led Bay High to a State Championship and undefeated season (22-0-2) as a senior 
• Produced 58 goals and 17 assists in 23 games as a junior, leading the Rockets to the State Semifinals
• 2023-24 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year
• Two-Time First Team All-State selection
• Two-Time United Soccer Coaches All-American honoree
• Three-Time OSSCA All-Ohio First Team selection
• Three-Time All Greater Cleveland First Team with Player of the Year honors as a sophomore
• Plays for Internationals Soccer Club
• Two ECNL National Final Four appearances
• Three-Time ECNL All-American (2022, 2023, 2024)
• ECNL Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in both 2022 (U15) and 2024 (U17)
• U.S. WYNT member since eligible at the U15 level. Has competed at the U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels
• Played with the U.S. WYNT in Montaigu, France and were Mondial Montaigu Tournament Champions. 

Coach Norman on Knapp

“Tessa is an extremely creative and dynamic attacking player. She can beat players off the dribble and also by combining with her teammates. She can create goals for herself, and she can create goals for her teammates. She is able to beat opponents in a variety of ways. She is very dangerous attacking from central areas and also from wide areas. She will definitely add excitement to our team in terms of what she can do on the ball.”

Knapp on Notre Dame

“I chose Notre Dame for its strong academics and competitive soccer program. The university’s strong values, sense of community, and being surrounded by teammates and coaches with my same drive and ambitions provide an optimal environment to pursue my goals.”

Alessia Saia
Midfielder from Delray Beach, FL
Spanish River High | FC Prime ECNL

• Ranked ninth in the state of Florida by PrepSoccer, top-100 national rank
• 2023-24 First Team All-County
• 2023-24 Palm Beach County Female Soccer Player of the Year nominee
• Led Spanish River with 17 goals and six assists as a junior
• Two-Time ECNL Southeast All-Conference First Team (2024, 2022)
• 2024 USYNT U19 Training Camp
• 2024 U-20 World Cup USYNT alt-list
• 2022 ODP National Team Training Camp
• 2022 ECNL National Training Camp
• 2021 US Soccer Youth National Team ID Center
• 2021 ODP Regional Event Selection 
• 2021 ECNL Sanford Showcase Top Drawer Soccer Standout Player
• 2020 Nike id2 Camp
• 2020 ODP Regional Event Selection
• 2018-2021 ODP Florida state player

Coach Norman on Saia

“Alessia is a very athletic and creative player that can play multiple positions. She is equally effective in her ability to run at defenders 1v1 and cover area defensively. She has a tireless work rate and has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways with or without the ball. She is an extremely exciting player who I think will transition very well into our team.”

Saia on Notre Dame

“I chose Notre Dame because, in my opinion, it offers the best combination of an elite women’s soccer program, a superior education, a far-reaching alumni network and a remarkable history.”

Gianna Scott
Midfielder from Avon, Ohio
Avon High | Internationals SC

• Ranked as high as 74th nationally by Top Drawer Soccer
• Leading goal scorer both years she played high school soccer (sophomore and senior years)
• First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference in both those years
• Led Avon High to the State Final Four as a senior – furthest in school history 
• Best XI in ECNL playoffs by Top Drawer
• Played in the WPSL the past two years (as a junior & senior)
• Played club initially for the Cleveland Ambassadors and most recently with the Cleveland Force
• Highlight of prep career: Going to England with the Cleveland Ambassadors and playing against professionals

Coach Norman on Scott

“Gianna is a very strong defender who brings a lot of pace and technical ability to the game. She has the ability to defend attackers in 1v1 areas but also can attack from areas in the back. She is a very good connector and is great in possession. She sees the game very well and not only delivers accurate crosses but can play quality entry passes into attack players.”

Scott on Notre Dame

“I was fortunate to play in a tournament in South Bend at the age of 12. When I walked on campus I felt that it was an extraordinary place with its high academic standards, rich tradition and athletics, and a faith-based university. From that moment my goal was to play soccer and continue my education at the University of Notre Dame.”

— ND —