Despite the 2-1 final result, Portland Thorns’ goalkeeper Bella Bixby was a brick wall in the Thorns’ win Sunday night.
She came just short of earning her third straight shutout thanks to Marisa Viggiano’s 95th minute goal, but still set the record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career at 269 minutes.
Bixby broke Emily Boyd’s previous record, set at 264 minutes.
After tonight’s match, Bella Bixby set the record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career.More #BytheNumbers here: https://t.co/49w0dAgUdm | #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/sKvz6ks2vj— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) July 19, 2021
After tonight’s match, Bella Bixby set the record for most shutout minutes to start an NWSL regular-season career.More #BytheNumbers here: https://t.co/49w0dAgUdm | #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/sKvz6ks2vj
In a response to the Thorns’ tweet, Bixby credited some of her success to the defense, calling the back line “special.”
This back line is special! We wish we could’ve nailed down the shut out tonight, but we got a must-have 3 points. Thanks so much rose city, as always, you are the best there is 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹#BAONPDX— Bella Bixby (@bellageist) July 19, 2021
This back line is special! We wish we could’ve nailed down the shut out tonight, but we got a must-have 3 points. Thanks so much rose city, as always, you are the best there is 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹#BAONPDX
Bixby made her first NWSL regular-season appearance on July 3 against Racing Louisville, earning the clean sheet. She did so again against Gotham FC on July 11 to become one of three goalkeepers in NWSL history to earn two straight shutouts to start their NWSL regular season career.
The Thorns are back in action Saturday, July 24 against the Houston Dash at 8:30 p.m. ET.