PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced that the club has re-signed goalkeeper Bella Bixby, forward Tyler Lussi, defender Madison Pogarch and midfielder Angela Salem. Portland has also signed goalkeeper Shelby Hogan. All five players have been signed to one-year contracts.
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Bixby, 25, will begin her fourth season with Thorns FC in 2021. The 29th selection in the 2018 NWSL Draft, Bixby made her Thorns FC debut in 2020 during the NWSL Challenge Cup. She appeared in four matches during the tournament, which included her club debut against the North Carolina Courage on June 27. She logged two shutouts in the Challenge Cup – the first of her career with Portland on July 1 against the Chicago Red Stars and added a second clean sheet on July 13 against OL Reign.
The 2021 campaign will be Lussi’s, 26, fifth with Portland after the club selected her with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NWSL Draft. With the club, Lussi has appeared in 42 matches across all competitions, logging 13 starts, four goals and four assists. In 2020, Lussi featured in six matches in the Challenge Cup, making three starts, while appearing in four games during the Fall Series with two starts.
Pogarch, 23, signed with Thorns FC as an undrafted rookie in 2019 after concluding her collegiate career at Rutgers University. The 2021 season will be Pogarch’s third with the club. Across her first two seasons, Pogarch has appeared in 11 matches across all competitions, making two starts. In 2020, Pogarch played in five matches in the Challenge Cup and three during the Fall Series, making one start in each competition.
Salem, 32, begins her ninth season in the NWSL in 2021 and her fourth with Thorns FC. Portland acquired Salem in 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft. With Thorns FC, Salem has appeared in 18 matches across all competitions, making 11 starts. In 2020, Salem appeared in all ten games across the Challenge Cup and Fall Series, making five starts in the Challenge Cup and three starts during the Fall Series.
Hogan, 22, played three seasons (2017-19) at Providence College, appearing and starting in 60 consecutive matches for the Friars during her career. During that span, Hogan posted a 0.97 goals-against average with an 82.8 % save percentage, 288 saves and 21 shutouts. In 2019, Hogan was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, All-BIG EAST First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Third Team, while making 110 saves.
Shelby Hogan
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: May 10, 1998
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Franklin, Mass.
College: Providence College
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