![]() Lowder with Bay FC in 2025 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Melissa Anne Lowder [1] | ||
Date of birth | January 29, 1997 | ||
Place of birth | San Diego, California, U.S. | ||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Bay FC | ||
Number | 1 | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2018 | Santa Clara Broncos | 63 | (0) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2019–2020 | Utah Royals | 0 | (0) |
2021 | Chicago Red Stars | 0 | (0) |
2021–2022 | Beach Soccer LA | 10 | (1) |
2022 | San Diego Wave | 0 | (0) |
2023 | Þór/KA | 21 | (0) |
2024– | Bay FC | 0 | (0) |
International career | |||
2019– | United States (beach soccer) | 9 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Melissa Anne Lowder (born January 29, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NWSL club Bay FC.
Lowder was signed on a temporary basis by the Utah Royals on May 28, 2019, as a National Team Replacement player, serving as a backup goalkeeper. [2] She was promoted to the team's Supplemental Roster on July 24, 2019. [3] The club option for Lowder's NWSL contract was exercised ahead of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League season. [4] Lowder earned her first start on September 26, 2020, during the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. In her professional debut she helped Utah earn a 2–2 draw with OL Reign. [5] Lowder was not given a new contract by Utah following the 2020 season. [6]
Subsequently Lowder was brought in to the Chicago Red Stars during the preseason, earning a spot as a National Team Replacement Player ahead of the 2021 NWSL season. [7] Lowder was not brought back by Chicago and was brought into the preseason roster for the San Diego Wave, eventually being signed ahead of their inaugural 2022 NWSL season. [8] [9] Lowder was out of contract following the conclusion of the season, and was not brought back by the Wave. [10]
Following her departure from San Diego, Lowder moved abroad for the first time in her career, joining Þór/KA in Iceland's ahead of the 2023 Besta deild kvenna season. This was her first time in her professional career playing as a starter, and she made 21 appearances throughout the 2023 season. [11]
Lowder returned to the NWSL and signed with expansion side Bay FC on January 29, 2024, joining the preseason roster. [12] It was announced on March 11, 2024, that Lowder suffered a season ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, less than a week before Bay FC's inaugural NWSL regular season match away to Angel City FC. [13] [14] It was reported previous to her injury that Lowder was seen as Bay's starting goalkeeper heading into the 2024 NWSL season. [15]