Fairfield University Athletics

2020-21: Cooper Knecht secured minutes in five games during the year, serving as a reserve for the Canisius, Quinnipiac, Rider, Manhattan and MAAC semifinal match with the Bobcats. He was a threat up front despite not picking up any points. He positioned one shot on go.al which came against Manhattan in the home finale. He was on the pitch for three of the team’s four shutouts including wins over Canisius and Manhattan

2019: Knecht developed into one of the team’s top r especially down the stretch of 2019. After going scoreless through his first five appearances, Knecht ended the season with four goals over the final 10 games of the season. He opened his scoring with the deciding goal of a 1-0 win over Army West Point. After the Stags battled to a scoreless draw against Rider, Knecht was responsible for two of the team’s three goals in a 4-3 setback against Saint Peter’s. His final goal of the season was the game winner in a 1-0 decision over Canisius, making him the only Stag with more than one deciding goal in 2019. Knecht put five shots on goal last season with four of those attempts finding the back of the net.

2018: Knecht was a regular in the lineup as a forward, playing in 15 of the team's 18 games. All of his appearances came as reserve but the freshman was still a contributor to the team's offensive success. He posted a point in the team's 2-1 win over Amy West Point, setting up the team's first goal for his first collegiate point. He took three shots during the season, one each against Monmouth, Saint Peter's and Manhattan. His 15 reserve appearances were second only to classmate Jack Weiss, who came off the bench 16 times during the 2018 season.

Before Fairfield: Knecht joined the Fairfield University soccer program after attending E.O. Smith High School. He excelled on the pitch while playing for E.O Smith, earning United Soccer Coaches All-America and All-New England honors following the 2017-18 season. He was a two-time All-State player and also secured three CIAC All-Conference nods. He was named the Hartford Courant Player of the Year, the CJSA Male Athlete of the Year and the United Soccer Coaches Connecticut Player of the Year after scoring 46 goals and 13 assists as a senior. He established the school record for career goals with 104.  He was selected team captain as a senior at E.O. Smith. Off the pitch, Knecht was a member of the National Honor Society and a five-time member of the CIAC All-Academic Team. He played club soccer with FSA FC where he averaged a goal per game in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns.