Bella Bixby
{{short description|American soccer player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Bella Bixby
| fullname = Annabella Madeleine Bixby
| birth_name = Annabella Madeleine Geist{{cite web |url=https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/aktuelles/matchcenter/show/20488 |title=Matchcenter: FFC 1:4 TSG (2. Spieltag – 23.09.2018) |trans-title=Match center: FFC 1–4 TSG (Matchday 2 – September 23, 2018) |publisher=TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |date=September 23, 2018 |access-date=June 29, 2022 |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220629044309/https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/aktuelles/matchcenter/callNomination/20488 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 }}
| image = 2022 NWSL Championship 64 - Bella Bixby (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bixby in 2022
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|11|20}}
| birth_place = Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S.
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Portland Thorns
| clubnumber = 1
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Lake Oswego Soccer Club
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = OSSA
| youthyears3 = 2013
| youthclubs3 = Crossfire Oregon
| collegeyears1 = 2014–2017
| college1 = Oregon State Beavers
| collegecaps1 = 72
| collegegoals1 = 0
| years1 = 2018
| clubs1 = Portland Thorns
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = 1. FFC Frankfurt (loan)
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2019
| clubs3 = ASA Tel Aviv University (loan)
| caps3 =
| goals3 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2022–
| managerclubs1 = Rex Putnam HS Kingsmen
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam1 = United States U23
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| pcupdate = April 29, 2023
| goals4 = 1
| caps4 = 44
| clubs4 = Portland Thorns
| years4 = 2019–
}}
Annabella Madeleine Bixby ({{nee|Geist}}; born November 20, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
Early life and college career
Bixby attended Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon.{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2022/05/portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-through-loss-and-with-local-roots-finds-her-normal-on-the-pitch.html |title=For Portland Thorns goalkeeper and hometown player Bella Bixby, soccer provides stability amid loss |date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=The Oregonian |first=Ryan |last=Clarke}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2021/08/portland-thorns-bella-bixby-interview |title=Portland Thorns' Bella Bixby Talks Home Teams and Representation |date=August 20, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |magazine=Portland Monthly |publisher=SagaCity Media |issue=Fall 2021 |first=Margaret |last=Seiler}}{{cite news |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-embraces-growth-through-grief/article_d8dcd062-ad60-5e51-8d35-ba494cdd0da1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407232414/https://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-embraces-growth-through-grief/article_d8dcd062-ad60-5e51-8d35-ba494cdd0da1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |title=Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby embraces growth through grief |date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=Portland Tribune |first=Paul |last=Danzer}} Bixby signed a letter of intent to play at Oregon State University on February 5, 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.clackamasreview.com/sports/putnams-bella-geist-to-compete-with-the-best-in-collegiate-soccer/article_7822c5cb-23f3-5a89-b0fc-7b898669ccd5.html |title=Putnams Bella Geist to compete with the best in collegiate soccer |date=February 12, 2014 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=Clackamas Review |first=John |last=Denny}}
Bixby played youth soccer for Olympic Development Program teams in Oregon, and her club teams won Oregon Premier League State Cup championships in 2009, 2011, and 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2907798/2021/10/22/what-american-womens-soccer-can-learn-from-the-development-of-portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby/ |title=What American women's soccer can learn from the development of Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby |date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=The Athletic |first=Steph |last=Yang}} These clubs included Lake Oswego Soccer Club for two years, three years with OSSA, and one year with Crossfire Oregon.{{cite web |url=https://osubeavers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/bella-geist/5187 |title=Bella Bixby – Women's Soccer – Oregon State University Athletics |access-date=April 7, 2023 |publisher=Oregon State Beavers}}
Bixby also played for Putnam High School's varsity gridiron football team as a placekicker, completing 89 of 96 extra point attempts and two of three field goals, including a 40-yard game-tying field goal in the final seconds of a 2013 game.{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/highschoolsports/article/football-putnams-annabella-geist-continues-her-remarkable-football-career-with-a-game-tying-40-yard-field-goal/ |title=Football: Putnam's Annabella Geist continues her remarkable football career with a game-tying 40-yard field goal |date=September 23, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=The Oregonian |first=Nick |last=Daschel}} Her performances in 2013 and 2014 led to the Northwest Oregon Conference naming her both the top girls' soccer goalkeeper and top gridiron football extra point attempt kicker.
=Oregon State University=
Bixby attended Oregon State University and played 72 games for its women's soccer team. She posted 18 clean sheets while setting a university record for most career saves with 394.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-thorns/how-former-osu-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-stayed-ready-her-portland-thorns-debut |title=How former OSU goalkeeper Bella Bixby stayed ready for her Portland Thorns debut |date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=NBC Sports Northwest |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713235409/https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/portland-thorns/how-former-osu-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-stayed-ready-her-portland-thorns-debut |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/players/bella-bixby/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821230611/https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/players/bella-bixby/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2021 |title=Bella Bixby |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=Portland Timbers}}
Club career
Prior to the 2018 NWSL College Draft, Portland Thorns FC coach Mark Parsons asked Bixby to register for the draft, in which Portland traded for the 29th overall pick and selected her.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2020/07/after-years-of-injuries-and-growth-portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-has-emerged-as-a-breakout-star-of-the-nwsl-challenge-cup.html|title=After years of injuries and growth, Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby has emerged as a breakout star of the NWSL Challenge Cup|first=Matt|last=Cohen|date=July 16, 2020|website=The Oregonian}}
=Portland Thorns FC, 2018–=
File:2022 NWSL Championship 67 - Bella Bixby (cropped).jpg
Bixby was injured for most of her first year with Portland and was forced to miss most of the year after suffering a wrist injury while on loan in Germany. She then spent part of 2019 on loan in Israel.{{cite podcast |url=https://portlandtimbers.libsyn.com/thorns-fcs-bella-bixby-on-loan-in-israel-puppy-and-more-breaking-lines-feb-28-2020 |title=Thorns FC's Bella Bixby on her loan time in Israel, new puppy and more {{!}} Breaking Lines {{!}} Feb. 27, 2020 |publisher=Portland Timbers |via=Libsyn |first=Richard |last=Farley |date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/roster-check-thorns-fc-goalkeepers |title=Roster Check |date=December 20, 2019 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=Portland Timbers |first=Richard |last=Farley}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-27 |title=Post |url=https://www.facebook.com/ASATELAVIVWFC/posts/3157478674295603/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=ASA Tel Aviv Women's Football}}
Bixby made her professional debut for the Thorns on June 27, 2020, in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, a 2–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage.{{soccerway|545263}}{{cite news |url=https://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/soccer/bella-bixby-hopes-to-use-her-platform-for-positive-change-as-she-steps-up-for/article_a181efff-77be-5d44-95bc-274f8c35d769.html |title=Bella Bixby hopes to use her platform for positive change as she steps up for Portland Thorns |date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |first=Jarrid |last=Denney |publisher=Corvallis Gazette-Times}} After posting two clean sheets in her first four games for the club, she suffered an ACL injury that forced her to miss the rest of the Challenge Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2020/07/portland-thorns-goalkeeper-bella-bixby-says-she-has-acl-injury.html| title=Portland Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby says she has ACL injury| first=Joel| last=Odom| date=July 18, 2020| publisher=The Oregonian}}
In July 2021, Bixby set the NWSL record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career, starting the 2021 NWSL season with 269 consecutive shutout minutes across her first three games, becoming the third goalkeeper in the league's history to post back-to-back clean sheets in their regular season debuts.{{cite news |url=https://justwomenssports.com/bella-bixby-breaks-record-for-shutout-minutes-to-begin-an-nwsl-career/ |title=Thorns' Bella Bixby breaks record for shutout minutes begin NWSL career |date=July 19, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=Just Women's Sports |first=Emma |last=Hruby}} She won the Save of the Week Award for the first week of August 2021.{{cite tweet |number=1423033870698663939 |user=NWSL |author=National Women's Soccer League |title=Look Ma, One Hand 🖐️This amazing @bellageist stop is this week's @Verizon Save of the Week winner 👏 |date=August 4, 2021}} She was one of three finalists for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2021 season.{{cite news|url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/audrey-bledsoe-wins-2021-nwsl-goalkeeper-of-the-year/|title=Aubrey Bledsoe Wins 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year|date=2021-11-19|last=Hruby|first=Emma|website=Just Women's Sports|access-date=2024-06-27}}
Prior to the 2022 season, Thorns FC signed Bixby to a three-year contract extension. In 2022, Bixby registered a total of 74 saves and 11 shutouts in 26 appearances across the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, regular season, and playoffs, including a 2–0 shutout win against Kansas City Current in the 2022 NWSL championship match. Her 10 regular- and post-season shutouts led all NWSL goalkeepers, and her 0.96 average goals conceded per match trailed only Phallon Tullis-Joyce.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats/goalkeepers?season=9hyk35wr7anp8s85965yfdous |title=Stats – Goalkeepers |access-date=April 7, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats/goalkeepers?season=bus8n60i95d4ka5frxvgcrspg |title=Stats – Goalkeepers |access-date=April 7, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}{{cite news |last=Azzi |first=Alex |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Portland Thorns win 2022 NWSL Championship, MVP Smith scores game winner |url=https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/10/29/portland-thorns-win-2022-nwsl-championship/ |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=On Her Turf |publisher=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}
On April 29, 2023, Bixby scored the game-tying goal in stoppage time in a home match against Angel City FC, securing a 3–3 draw. It was just the second goal ever scored by a keeper in NWSL history (the first was also scored by a Thorns keeper, Michelle Betos, in 2015).{{cite news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2023/04/goalkeeper-bella-bixbys-goal-rescues-3-3-draw-for-portland-thorns-in-wild-finish.html| title=Goalkeeper Bella Bixby's goal rescues 3–3 draw for Portland Thorns in wild finish |date=April 29, 2023|last=Sepich| first=Scott| publisher=The Oregonian| access-date=April 30, 2023}}
Due to her maternity leave, Bixby did not play for Thorns FC in 2024. Prior to the 2025 NWSL season, the club extended Bixby's contract through an additional season with an option.{{Cite web |title=Portland Thorns FC Extend Goalkeeper Bella Bixby - Portland Thorns |url=https://www.thorns.com/news/portland-thorns-fc-extend-goalkeeper-bella-bixby |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=www.thorns.com}}
=1. FFC Frankfurt, 2018=
On August 31, 2018, Thorns FC announced that the club had loaned Bixby to Frauen Bundesliga club 1. FFC Frankfurt.{{cite news |url=https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/8/31/17807486/bella-geist-to-go-on-loan-with-ffc-frankfurt-thorns-nwsl-frauen-bundesliga |title=Bella Geist to go on loan with FFC Frankfurt |date=August 31, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=Stumptown Footy}} She did not appear for Frankfurt before suffering a right wrist injury, and on October 16, 2018, the German club announced that Bixby would return from her loan to Portland early for recovery.{{cite news |url=https://www.ran.de/fussball/bundesliga/news/verletzte-torhueterin-geist-verlaesst-1-ffc-frankfurt-wieder-111187 |date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |title=Verletzte Torhüterin Geist verlässt 1. FFC Frankfurt wieder |work=ran |language=German}}
Coaching career
In 2022, Bixby returned to Rex Putnam High School to serve as the girls' varsity soccer team's head coach.{{cite news |url=https://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/sports/putnam-junior-hailey-patlan-kicking-it-up-in-soccer-and-football/article_972bfd75-321f-5d1a-95f1-07109d37f274.html |title=Putnam junior Hailey Patlan kicking it up in soccer and football |date=September 30, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=Lake Oswego Review |first=Andy |last=Dieckhoff}}
Activism
Bixby has been outspoken on issues within soccer, calling out inconsistent media coverage of the NWSL{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/portland-thorns-bella-bixby-nwsl-season-amid-coronavirus |title=Portland Thorns' Bella Bixby reminds followers NWSL pulled off season first amid coronavirus: 'This is getting really old' |first=Ryan |last=Gaydos |date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=Fox News}} and the quality of the NWSL's broadcast product.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/27/nwsl-broadcats/ |title=As NWSL gets more airtime, broadcasts struggle to keep pace |date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |first=Ben |last=Strauss |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}} In early July 2021, she called for the league to drop the "W" from its name, stating that it was both non-inclusive and that it promoted the misconception that the women's side of the game was abnormal.{{cite news |url=https://www.outsports.com/2021/7/9/22560040/bella-bixby-portland-thorns-nwsl-rebranding-gender |title=Goaltender Bella Bixby to the NWSL: Drop the 'W' |first=Shelby |last=Weldon |date=July 9, 2021 |publisher=Outsports}} In late-July 2021, she called on Racing Louisville FC to end the light show at Lynn Family Stadium played after Louisville scored, stating that "players reported feeling physically ill. I am someone who has sensory integration issues & had to put a towel over my eyes and pray to god I didn't have a meltdown seconds before the 2nd half."{{cite news |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2021/07/28/lynn-family-stadium-light-show-generates-controversy-in-nwsl/5375363001/ |title=Blinding lights? Why Lynn Family Stadium's light show is generating controversy |date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |first=Hayes |last=Gardner |publisher=The Courier-Journal}}
Bixby took part in the NWSL Players Association's #NoMoreSideHustles campaign for better compensation for women's football players, revealing that she had to have a second job for Uber for a year while playing in the NWSL.{{cite news |url=https://justwomenssports.com/jess-mcdonald-bella-bixby-share-economic-realities-of-nwsl/ |title=Jess McDonald, Bella Bixby share economic realities of NWSL |date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |publisher=Just Women's Sports |first=Emma |last=Hruby}} The NWSL Players Association also named Bixby one of the Thorns' player representatives for 2022.{{cite tweet |user=nwsl_players |author=NWSL Players Association |number=1550494920485482497 |title=The NWSLPA announces its 2022 Officers and Player Representatives 👏 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}
Five days prior to Thorns FC's November 14 match against Chicago Red Stars in the 2021 NWSL playoff semifinals, Bixby's father Dean died by suicide. Bixby publicly spoke out about the loss in order to raise awareness.
Personal life
In December 2018, Bixby married her husband Elliot and began using her married name. In January 2024, they announced Bixby was pregnant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C2D1jSavu1c/?igsh=MWZkYmNhYzFiMnZmeQ==|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}
Bixby is on the autism spectrum.{{Cite web|url=https://justwomenssports.com/thorns-bella-bixby-says-houstons-louisvilles-light-shows-need-to-go/|title = Thorns' Bella Bixby says Houston's, Louisville's light shows need to go|date = July 25, 2021}}
While playing, Bixby continues to study toward a master's degree in fish and wildlife administration at Oregon State.
Honors
Portland Thorns FC
- NWSL Community Shield: 2020
- NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021
- International Champions Cup: 2021{{cite web |first=Tyler |last=Snipes |title=The Portland Thorns are WICC Champions! |url=https://www.internationalchampionscup.com/news/wicc-tournament-recap |date=August 22, 2021 |website=International Champions Cup |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005212904/https://www.internationalchampionscup.com/news/wicc-tournament-recap |url-status=dead }}
- NWSL Shield: 2021
- NWSL Save of the Week: 2021 weeks 11, 17;{{cite tweet |title=Bella's Big Week 😎|user=NWSL |author=National Women's Soccer League |number=1438258485939027975}} 2022 week 8{{cite tweet |title=Alyssa Naeher @AlyssaNaeher (@chicagoredstars) DiDi Haračić @DIdeeds (@weareangelcity) Belly Bixby @bellageist (@ThornsFC) Erin McLeod @erinmcleod18 (@ORLPride) |user=NWSL |author=National Women's Soccer League |number=1539695766796656643}}
- NWSL Championship: 2022
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{NWSL player|annabella-madeleine-bixby|Bella Bixby}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20210821230611/https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/players/bella-bixby/ Bella Bixby] at Portland Thorns FC
- [https://osubeavers.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/bella-geist/5187 Bella Geist] at Oregon State Beavers
- {{U.S. Soccer player|b/bella-bixby}}
- {{WorldFootball.net}}
- {{Soccerway|545263}}
- {{FBref|73eb19a8/Bella-Bixby}}
{{Portland Thorns FC squad}}
{{2021 NWSL Teams of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bixby, Bella}}
Category:Eintracht Frankfurt (women) players
Category:American disabled sportspeople
Category:American expatriate women's soccer players in Germany
Category:American women's soccer players
Category:Association football players with disabilities
Category:National Women's Soccer League players
Category:Oregon State Beavers women's soccer players
Category:Portland Thorns FC draft picks
Category:Portland Thorns FC players
Category:Soccer players from Oregon
Category:Sportspeople from Milwaukie, Oregon
Category:Autistic sportspeople
Category:Sportswomen with disabilities