Lyza Jessee Bio
Lyza Lyn Jessee (née Bosselmann; born July 27, 2001) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. She spent three seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with the Washington Spirit after being selected 28th overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, Jessee built her reputation at Gonzaga University before briefly turning professional, and she announced her retirement from soccer on January 17, 2026.
Known by her maiden name Lyza Bosselmann during her college years, she transitioned into the NWSL as a developmental goalkeeper behind starter Aubrey Kingsbury. Across her career, she appeared in one professional match for the Spirit.
Early Life and Background
Lyza Lyn Bosselmann was born on July 27, 2001, in Flagstaff, Arizona. She grew up in Arizona, where she developed an early interest in soccer and goalkeeping. Her height of 5 feet 10 inches gave her the physical frame commonly associated with top-level goalkeepers, and she trained in the position from a young age.
She attended local schools in Arizona before committing to play college soccer at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Her time in Arizona laid the foundation for the disciplined shot-stopping style she later showcased at the collegiate level.
Path to Soccer
Jessee joined the Gonzaga Bulldogs women’s soccer program in 2019, where she served as the starting goalkeeper for four seasons. Her development at Gonzaga was steady, and by her senior year she had become one of the most reliable keepers in the West Coast Conference. In 2022, she started all 18 of Gonzaga’s matches and recorded 10 shutouts, a workload that highlighted her durability and consistency.
Over the course of her four-year college career, she allowed only 47 goals, the fewest in program history. Her performances earned her All-West Region honors, First Team All-WCC recognition, and Academic All-District and Academic All-WCC accolades in her final season. These achievements positioned her as a draft-eligible prospect entering the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Lyza Jessee Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Lyza Bosselmann’s early career was defined by her four years with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. She arrived at Gonzaga in 2019 and immediately competed for minutes in goal, steadily earning the starting role as her tenure progressed. By the time she reached her senior season, she had become the unquestioned starter and a leader on the back line.
Her 2022 campaign stood out as the most productive of her college career. Starting all 18 matches and recording 10 shutouts, she anchored a Gonzaga defense that was among the stingiest in the West Coast Conference. The 47 career goals allowed mark she set stood as a program record, underscoring her consistency across her four seasons.
Washington Spirit Breakthrough (2023–2025)
In March 2023, Jessee was selected 28th overall by the Washington Spirit in the 2023 NWSL Draft. She signed a two-year contract with an option for the 2025 season, joining the club as a developmental goalkeeper behind starter Aubrey Kingsbury. Her selection reflected both her college production and her long-term potential within the NWSL goalkeeper pipeline.
During her time in Washington, Jessee served primarily as the backup goalkeeper. Her lone professional appearance came on March 17, 2024, when she entered the Spirit’s season-opening match against the Seattle Reign as a substitute after Kingsbury received a red card. The match ended in a loss for Washington, but the appearance marked her official debut in the NWSL.
Across her three professional seasons with the Spirit, Jessee remained a reliable reserve option and continued to develop within a championship-caliber environment. On January 17, 2026, she announced her retirement from professional soccer, closing her playing career after three NWSL seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jessee’s career came on March 17, 2024, when she made her lone NWSL appearance under emergency circumstances against the Seattle Reign. She also reached a major personal milestone in December 2024, marrying her husband, professional baseball player Brody Jessee, on December 15, 2024.
Lyza Jessee Career Wins
Lyza Jessee’s professional career was brief, but her college resume was decorated. At Gonzaga, she set the program record for fewest career goals allowed with 47, recorded 10 shutouts in her senior season, and earned All-West Region, First Team All-WCC, Academic All-District, and Academic All-WCC honors. In the NWSL, she appeared in one match for the Washington Spirit across three seasons.
Washington Spirit Highlights
Jessee was drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2023 and spent three seasons with the club, primarily serving as the backup to Aubrey Kingsbury. Her single professional appearance came as a substitute against the Seattle Reign on March 17, 2024. She signed a two-year contract with an option year, which was exercised for the 2025 season before her January 2026 retirement announcement.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Jessee was a four-year starter for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, finishing her career as the program’s all-time leader in fewest goals allowed. Her senior-season accolades, including All-West Region and First Team All-WCC selections, cemented her legacy as one of the top goalkeepers in Gonzaga history.
Lyza Jessee Family
Personal Life
Lyza Jessee married professional baseball player Brody Jessee on December 15, 2024. Following her marriage, she became known professionally as Lyza Jessee, having previously played under her maiden name, Lyza Bosselmann. Her husband plays professional baseball, and the couple has been based in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the final year of Jessee’s contract with the Washington Spirit. She continued in her role as a backup goalkeeper behind starter Aubrey Kingsbury, providing depth and developmental support within the NWSL roster. Her presence offered the Spirit a reliable reserve option throughout the campaign.
Although she did not add to her professional appearance count during the 2025 season, her tenure with the club contributed to a stable goalkeeping unit. The Spirit benefited from her experience and preparation, even as she remained on the bench in match situations.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season, Jessee announced her retirement from professional soccer on January 17, 2026. The decision closed a three-season professional career that bridged her decorated college tenure at Gonzaga with brief but meaningful time in the NWSL.
