| Melissa Lowder | |
| Fullname: | Melissa Anne Lowder[1] |
| Birth Date: | 29 January 1997 |
| Birth Place: | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Currentclub: | Bay FC |
| Clubnumber: | 1 |
| Collegeyears1: | 2015–2018 |
| College1: | Santa Clara Broncos |
| Collegecaps1: | 63 |
| Collegegoals1: | 0 |
| Years1: | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs1: | Utah Royals |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2021 |
| Clubs2: | Chicago Red Stars |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs3: | Beach Soccer LA |
| Caps3: | 10 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years4: | 2022 |
| Clubs4: | San Diego Wave |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2019– |
| Nationalteam1: | United States (beach soccer) |
| Nationalcaps1: | 9 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2023 |
| Clubs5: | Þór/KA |
| Caps5: | 21 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2024– |
| Clubs6: | Bay FC |
| Caps6: | 0 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
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]