CATS ME- OUCH! SPARTY PULLS UPSET
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sarah Fuller was playing around with a teammate a couple 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 SEC 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 might 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 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 35- yard 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 ( 4- 3).
Coach Derek Mason made clear that Fuller kicked for the Commodores ( 0- 8) 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 6- 2 goalkeeper, decided she was up for the challenge.
“I’m not about making statements,” Mason said. “This was out of necessity. 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 some of her teammates and swapped some elbow bumps.
Fuller, who wore “Play Like A Girl” on the back of her helmet, practiced with the football team this week after helping the soccer team win the SEC Tournament last weekend. She said her longest field goal in practice was 38 yards.