‘Glass. Everywhere’
Soccer player becomes first woman to play for Power Five football team
Soccer goalie Sarah Fuller shatters SEC football ceiling with one kick for Vandy.
COLUMBIA, MO.— Sarah Fuller was playing around with a teammate a couple of months ago when she kicked a soccer ball through the uprights from 45 yards away. She joked about being able to kick a football with teammates during the Southeastern Conference soccer tournament.
On Saturday, she made history .
Fuller became the first woman to participate in a Power Five conference football game when she kicked off for Vanderbilt to start the second half at Missouri, a moment that may take some time to soak in for her.
“I just think it’s incredible that I am able to do this, and all I want to do is be a good influence to the young girls out there because there were times, like, I struggled in sports,” Fuller said.
“But I am so thankful I stuck with it, and it’s given me so many opportunities. I’ve met so many amazing people through sports, and I just want to say, like, literally you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Fuller kicked with a holder rather than using a tee in a designed squib kick, and the senior sent a low kick to the 35yard line where it was pounced on by Missouri’s Mason Pack. Fuller didn’t get any other opportunities in Vanderbilt’s 41-0 loss to Missouri.
Coach Derek Mason made clear that Fuller kicked for the Commodores because of need, not for history or publicity. COVID-19 protocols and restrictions left Mason with very few options, prompting him to reach out to the soccer team for help.
Fuller, a six-foot-two goalkeeper, decided she was up for the challenge.
“I’m not about making statements,” Mason said. “This was out of necessity. You look at our week. Our students had gone home. The ability to have access to students and tryouts was almost nil in terms of like what’s available … That just happened to be the most viable option.”
After Fuller’s kick, she went straight to the sideline, where she high-fived teammates and swapped some elbow bumps. Fuller’s parents watched and cheered from the stands along with her boyfriend and best friend.
Fuller practised with the Commodores this past week after helping the Commodores win the SEC soccer tournament last weekend. She said her longest field goal in practice was 38 yards.
She wore “Play Like A Girl” on the back of her helmet. The senior will get to keep the No. 32 jersey she wore Saturday, the same as her soccer number.
Fuller even gave a halftime pep talk, saying Vandy won the SEC soccer tournament title by cheering for each other whether on the field or the sideline.
“We had a different mindset coming out the second half,” quarterback Mike Wright said.
After her kickoff, reaction poured in on social media. Fuller was the No. 2 trending topic on Twitter, followed by Vandy. Her soccer team wrote on Twitter: “Glass. Everywhere.” As in glass ceiling.
Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter, reviewed Fuller’s squib kick, noting the ball didn’t go out of bounds and there was no chance of a return, setting up the defence.
“Congrats to @SarahFuller_27 for being THE FIRST EVER WOMAN TO KICKOFF A POWER 5 GAME,” McAfee wrote.
“Incredibly rare to be the ‘1st ever person to do something’ these days … this is really cool,” he added.
No woman had appeared in an SEC football game or for any Power Five team (SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12).
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz visited with Fuller before kickoff and repeated a message that she has heard a lot in recent days.
The father of four daughters told Fuller it was incredible they watched her make history.
“I’ve had girl dads come up to me and they’re like, ‘You’re inspiring my little girls, and I want them to know that they can do anything and you’re proving that point.’ And I think that has been the coolest thing,” Fuller said.