Melissa Lowder

Melissa Anne Lowder (born January 29, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for NWSL club Bay FC.

Club career
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. She was promoted to the team's Supplemental Roster on July 24, 2019. The club option for Lowder's NWSL contract was exercised ahead of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League season. 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. Lowder was not given a new contract by Utah following the 2020 season.

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. 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. Lowder was out of contract following the conclusion of the season, and was not brought back by the Wave.

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.

Lowder returned to the NWSL and signed with expansion side Bay FC on January 29, 2024, joining the preseason roster. 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. It was reported previous to her injury that Lowder was seen as Bay's starting goalkeeper heading into the 2024 NWSL season.