January 29, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Bay FC News Release
San Francisco – Bay FC, the Bay Area’s new women’s professional soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), have signed veteran NWSL goalkeeper Melissa Lowder to a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2025 season, it was announced today.
“Melissa is a great human being, and on top of that, she is a great goalkeeper,” said Diego Restrepo, Bay FC head of goalkeeping. “We are excited she is with our club because she is a player who wants to get better and someone who can help push the club to new heights. She brings leadership and experience to our goalkeeper group and is already working hard every single day.”
Lowder spent the 2023 season playing for Thor/KA in the first division in Iceland. She appeared in 21 games for the team, finishing fifth in the 10-team league while also earning a runner-up finish in the League Cup. Lowder originally signed with Utah Royal FC as a National Team Replacement player in 2019 before joining the Chicago Red Stars in 2021. She most recently spent time in the NWSL with San Diego Wave FC in 2022. Notably, Lowder represented the United States as part of the U.S. Women’s Beach Soccer National Team in 2019.
At Santa Clara from 2015-18, Lowder played in 63 games, making 60 starts during her career. The San Diego, Calif. native, finished her collegiate career with a 1.02 goals-against average with 219 saves and a 0.79 save percentage to go along with 18 shutouts.
Melissa Lowder
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-8
Birthdate: Jan. 29, 1997
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Previous Club: Thor/KA (Iceland)
Citizenship: United States
College: Santa Clara University
Ticket deposits are now open for Bay FC’s inaugural season and new merchandise can be purchased at BayFC.com. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for more exciting announcements to come.
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