Sam Hiatt Bio
Samantha Ryan Hiatt, known professionally as Sam Hiatt, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She wears jersey number 16 for the Thorns and is recognized for her composure in central defense, her ability to read the game, and her consistent contribution to title-challenging squads. Over the course of her career, Hiatt has built a reputation as a dependable, championship-tested defender at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Hiatt first gained attention as a highly decorated youth player before starring for one of the most decorated programs in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. She has since transitioned into a starting role at the top level of American club soccer, contributing to a regular-season NWSL title with OL Reign before continuing her career in New Jersey and Portland.
Early Life and Background
Samantha Ryan Hiatt was born on January 6, 1998, in Kirkland, Washington. She grew up in the Seattle area and attended Seattle Preparatory School, where she played for the school’s varsity soccer team for four years. She captained the Panthers during her junior and senior seasons and was named the league’s defender of the year in 2016. That same year, she was recognized as the 2016 Seattle Prep Athlete of the Year, and in 2015 she was named Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year and selected to the Best XI team of the High School All-America game.
Outside of high school soccer, Hiatt played club soccer for Crossfire ECNL and captained the team from 2012 to 2016. Her leadership in the youth ranks caught the attention of U.S. Soccer, and she received a call-up to the under-18 youth national team training camp in 2014. Hiatt is of Filipino descent, a background she has acknowledged as an important part of her identity.
Path to Soccer
Hiatt’s progression through the American soccer system began with her standout years at Seattle Prep and with Crossfire ECNL. After completing her high school career, she initially enrolled at Boston College, where she played for the Boston College Eagles in 2016. She then transferred to Stanford University, joining the Stanford Cardinal program and quickly establishing herself as a key contributor along the back line.
At Stanford, Hiatt was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection and a two-time All-American. She helped lead the Cardinal to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship in both 2017 and 2019, and she captained the team during her senior season. Over the course of her Stanford tenure, she recorded two goals and nine assists and was named to the all-conference third team as a senior. Her college résumé, combined with her youth international experience, made her one of the most polished defenders available in her draft class.
Sam Hiatt Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Hiatt was selected by OL Reign in the fourth round, 33rd overall, of the 2020 NWSL College Draft. She made her professional debut on October 17, 2020, in a 2–0 win against Utah Royals FC during the 2020 NWSL Fall Series, a competition introduced in place of the regular season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The appearance marked the beginning of her senior career in American professional soccer.
In 2021, Hiatt became a regular in the Reign back line, starting as a center back in all nine of her appearances. Her promising first full campaign, however, was cut short by a back injury that ended her season prematurely. Despite the setback, her performances during those nine matches were enough to confirm her status as a long-term piece of the Reign’s defensive plan.
OL Reign Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Hiatt enjoyed a breakout year in 2022, starting all 19 of her appearances and logging a total of 1,710 minutes. Her 81 clearances led the Reign and ranked tenth in the NWSL, highlighting her effectiveness as a central defender who consistently repelled opposition attacks. In recognition of her growth, the club signed her to a two-year contract extension in November 2022, securing her services through the 2024 season.
That same year, OL Reign finished atop the NWSL regular season with an 11–7–4 record, winning the NWSL Shield and advancing to the playoffs as the number one seed. The Shield run gave Hiatt her first major professional honor, although the Reign were eliminated in the semifinals by the Kansas City Current by a 2–0 scoreline. She continued to feature for the Reign in 2023, maintaining her role in central defense.
Portland Thorns FC Era (2024–Present)
On January 24, 2024, NJ/NY Gotham FC acquired Hiatt in a three-team trade involving OL Reign and Racing Louisville FC, with the Reign ultimately receiving defender Julia Lester as part of the transaction. Hiatt made her Gotham FC debut on March 24, 2024, in a 1–0 win over Portland Thorns FC, and went on to play 17 matches with 12 starts. On October 20, she scored her first and, to date, only professional goal, opening the scoring in Gotham’s 3–1 victory over the Orlando Pride.
On December 6, 2024, Portland Thorns FC signed Hiatt as a free agent through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027. The move brought her back to the Pacific Northwest and placed her on one of the NWSL’s most historic franchises. She continues to wear the number 16 jersey and remains a regular presence in the Thorns’ defensive rotation.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hiatt’s most significant professional milestone to date is her role in OL Reign’s 2022 NWSL Shield-winning campaign, which established the Reign as the league’s best regular-season team. At the youth international level, she helped the U.S. under-18 team win the 2016 International Cup in Spain, captained the U.S. under-20 squad at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France, and helped the under-20 team win the 2018 La Manga Tournament. Her first professional goal, scored for Gotham FC on October 20, 2024, also stands out as a personal milestone in her senior career.
Sam Hiatt Honors
Stanford Cardinal Highlights
During her time with the Stanford Cardinal, Hiatt was part of two NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship-winning squads, in 2017 and 2019. She earned three All-Pac-12 selections and two All-American honors, and she captained the team in her senior season. These accomplishments cemented her reputation as one of the top collegiate defenders in the country.
OL Reign Highlights
Hiatt’s most notable professional team achievement came in 2022, when OL Reign won the NWSL Shield with the best regular-season record in the league. That same year, she signed a two-year contract extension and finished among the league’s top ten in clearances, underscoring her value to the Reign’s defensive structure.
Sam Hiatt Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Samantha Ryan Hiatt was raised in Kirkland, Washington, and is of Filipino descent. Her family supported her early development in the sport, and her cultural background remains an important part of her personal story. She has been credited in public profiles for highlighting her Filipino heritage as part of her identity as an athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NWSL season, Sam Hiatt is in her first full campaign with Portland Thorns FC after joining the club in December 2024 on a deal that runs through 2026, with an option for 2027. The Thorns, one of the league’s flagship franchises, are expected to lean on her experience in central defense as they look to climb back to the top of the standings. Her familiarity with the Pacific Northwest, where she grew up and starred in high school, has been noted as a natural fit for the move.
At Portland, Hiatt reunites with a competitive environment and a deep roster, and her minutes are expected to come primarily as a starting center back. Her track record of durability, including 19 starts in 2022 and 12 starts during her short stint with Gotham FC in 2024, suggests she is positioned to play a meaningful role for the Thorns throughout the 2025 regular season and any subsequent playoff run.