During the last full week of 2024, two NWSL clubs announced the signing of collegiate players and two other clubs announced the re-signing of goalkeepers.
The two players who recently wrapped up their NCAA careers are Mississippi State midfielder Macey Hodge, who signed with Angel City, and University of Pittsburgh forward Sarah Schupansky, who is joining Gotham FC.
Meanwhile, the Portland Thorns retained their 2023 starting goalkeeper, Bella Bixby, who missed all of the 2024 season due to maternity leave, and the San Diego Wave have re-signed back-up ‘keeper Hillary Beall.
For more end-of-year transactions, see NWSL News of Note, Transfers Edition: Gotham trades forward Yazmeen Ryan to Dash, Current acquire Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena, Gotham gets Ghanian midfielder Stella Nyamekeye.
Angel City: Mississippi State midfielder Macey Hodge signed through 2026, with 2027 club option
On December 23rd (press release), Angel City announced the signing of Macey Hodge, who was the 2024 SEC Midfielder of the Year. The 5’6″ Hodge had 97 appearances over five seasons for Mississippi State (player profile).
Hodge’s contract is for two seasons and includes a club option for the 2027 NWSL season.
Primarily a holding midfielder, Hodge was also utilized as an attacking midfielder and a center-back at Mississippi State.
Hodge was originally committed to play for Vanderbilt, but for mental health reasons, stepped away from soccer. During the fall semester of her freshman year, Hodge attended a local university in Georgia and worked part-time at a Kroger store. Hodge then decided to get back into soccer. Hodge landed at Mississippi State in part due to a connection between one of her former youth club coaches and an assistant coach at Mississippi State. (August 2021 profile on Hodge that is worth a read.)
Gotham FC: Pitt forward Sarah Schupansky signed through 2026, with 2027 team option
Also on the 23rd of December, Gotham FC announced that the club has signed forward Sarah Schupansky on a two-year contract that also includes a team option for the 2027 NWSL season. (Gotham press release)
The 5’5″ Schupansky played four seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (player profile). Over 82 matches, she netted 32 goals and registered a program record 43 assists. Her 78 starts is also a program record.
As a senior, Schupansky led the NCAA with 15 assists, which was a program record. She also tied a program record for most assists in a match by tallying four in a 6:1 victory over Dartmouth. (Pitt press release)
A natural right-footed player (SoccerWire profile), Schumansky also has a strong left foot (as demonstrated by this 2023 goal from the left corner of the 18-yard box).
At Pitt, Schupansky was coached by former Houston Dash head coach Randy Waldrum.
Portland Thorns: Goalkeeper Bella Bixby extends for 2025, with option for 2026
On Monday, December 23rd, the Thorns announced that Bixby, who had been their primary goalkeeper for the two seasons prior to 2024, has been re-signed for the 2025 NWSL season, with an unspecified option for 2026. (Thorns press release)
Bixby missed all of the 2024 season as she was on maternity leave (NWSL game log). Her child was born in early July (Instagram).
Drafted by the Thorns in 2018, Bixby’s first few years as a professional were marked by injuries and loan spells to Germany and Israel. In 2021, after the COVID-delayed Olympics, Bixby became Portland’s starting keeper following AD Franch’s trade to Kansas City.
With the Thorns, Bixby has won an NWSL Championship (2022), an NWSL Shield (2021), and the Challenge Cup (2021).
In 2023, Bixby memorably scored an equalizing goal in late stoppage time against Angel City. She is only the second goalkeeper in NWSL history to tall a goal. The first was Michelle Betos in 2015, which was also for the Thorns. (The Equalizer article).
Bixby (née Geist), who was born and raised outside of Portland, played collegiate soccer at Oregon State University (player profile). She set a career at Oregon State with 394 saves over 72 appearances.
Bixby attended a trio of United States youth national camps at the U-23 level as well as two U-14 camps.
In high school, Bixby was a placekicker on her school’s (gridiron) football team. (Wikipedia bio)
With this re-signing, the Thorns now have three goalkeepers on its 2025 roster:
- Australian international Mackenzie Arnold, who is 5’9″ and will turn 31 before the start of next season. Arnold joined the Thorns after the Olympics and played five matches before suffering a leg injury. She was on the bench for Portland’s last three matches. (NWSL game log)
- Bella Bixby, who is 6’0″ and is age 29.
- Shelby Hogan, who is 5’11” and is age 26. During the 2024 season, Hogan was Portland’s starter before the addition of Arnold. She also stepped in for Arnold after the Aussie’s leg injury in October. (NWSL game log)
San Diego Wave: Goalkeeper Hillary Beall re-up for another year
Also on Monday, the 23rd, the Wave announced that Beall has been re-signed for the 2025 season. The one-year contract does not include an option. (Wave press release)
The 5’11” goalkeeper will be entering her fourth season in the NWSL and her second with the Wave. Beall was acquired by San Diego via a trade (press release) ahead of the 2024 season. Previously, Beall spent two seasons with Racing Louisville. During that time, she was loaned twice to Western United of Australia’s A-League. In her first year, Beall was named the A-League’s Goalkeeper of the Year. (wufc.com.au press release)
In 2024, Beall had two regular seasons appearances for the Wave. Her first was as a substitute in Alex Morgan’s farewell match after Kailen Sheridan received a red card. Beall started the next match in place of the suspended Sheridan.
Beall also started one Summer Cup match, which was at home against Bay FC, where she allowed one goal in the Wave’s 3:1 victory. (NWSL game log)
Prior to the NWSL, Beall played five seasons at the University of Michigan (player profile). As a Wolverine, she had 75 appearances and was the primary starter for her final three seasons plus the last ten matches of her sophomore outing.
Beall has attended at least 18 United States youth national camps, primarily at the U-17 level. She was a member of the USA’s squad at the U-17 WWC in 2016 and the U-20 WWC in 2018.
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