Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. At least that is what someone wiser than me once said. As an avid soccer player through my high school and college years, there is one day that I will never forget… November 13, 1993. That is the day I helped lead my Bay High School soccer team to a state title. And if you’ve been in a room with me for more than five minutes, you probably already knew that. You probably also know that I scored both goals in a come from behind 2-1 victory! But enough about me…
Almost 31 years to the day later, my high school senior daughter Emery, captured her own state title for Bay High School. On November 9, 2024, the Lady Rockets scored with 12 seconds left in regulation to win the Division 3 Ohio high school state championship by a score of 1-0. It has been 21 years since the girls’ soccer team, or any team at Bay High, has captured a state title. They were also the first undefeated team in Bay High history with a record of 22-0-2. Even more, Emery and her proud dad became the first ever father/daughter state champions in school history.
But to quote my daughter, what meant the most to her other than achieving a goal of winning it all, was the amazing support from the families, friends, and Bay Village community that supported the girls throughout this journey. From pep rallies, send-offs, police escorts, and finally a championship parade, the community that surrounded this team was nothing short of amazing.
Emery will continue her academics and athletic career next year and play soccer for the University of Dayton. But she, as well as I, will never forget “our day” in November, 31 years apart.
