Teen midfielder Fuller has solid debut
Kennedy Fuller decided to turn professional and sign with Angel City FC as a 16-year-old.
On Sunday, just eight days after turning 17, Fuller was in the starting lineup as Angel City opened its season against Bay FC in front a sellout crowd of 22,000 at BMO Stadium.
Fuller said she learned she was starting the previous night.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get the courage without my teammates,” Fuller said. “Before the game I had a bunch of pats on the back, a lot of ‘let’s go’ and that really helped.”
The decision to turn pro and bypass college was a difficult one, but Fuller believes she made the right decision.
“It was difficult,” she said. “(North Carolina) is an amazing place and I still feel like it’s my home. (Coaches) Damon (Nahas) and Anson (Dorrance) are amazing and nothing bad to say about them, they’re awesome . ... Having to tell them was probably one of the hardest parts because they supported
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me and they had confidence in me. I wouldn’t have done it (signed with Angel City) if I didn’t think this is a place for me to grow and if I didn’t feel comfortable.”
Fuller became the youngest player in Angel City’s short history to play in the game, but she did more than just play. Fuller went 90 minutes, had three shots, two on target, was credited with four duels on and finished with a pass accuracy of 79.2%.
“I would never guess she’s 17 years old,” defender and vice captain Sarah Gorden said. “Super impressed and proud of her and I’m excited to see where her career goes.”
Fuller is no stranger to big decisions. She committed to North Carolina at 15 after her freshman season and she chose to graduate high school early.
Fuller earned the Golden Boot with the U.S. U-17 team at the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship, scoring eight goals.
“She is so young and we have to look after her and she’s still got a really high ceiling and so much room to grow,” ACFC coach Becki Tweed said. “She also plays international football and we want to encourage that. This team is brilliant with the younger players and they want to help them grow and I think that she will continue to grow as it goes on.”
Fuller wasn’t the only teenager to make her pro debut Sunday. Gisele Thompson came on as a substitute in the 80th minute. Gisele, the younger sister of Alyssa Thompson, joined Angel City days after her 18th birthday.
“When I was that age, I would have played terrible,” defender Paige Nielsen said of Fuller and Thompson. “Kennedy had one of the best 90 minutes I think I’ve seen for any player’s first game.” She just turned 17 years old and I think she’s a true pro and I’m excited for how she can help this team.”
At Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, Fla.
Purse:
Yardage: Par 71
Suspended due to darkness Partial First Round
$8.4 million
7,340;
Kevin Streelman ....................... 32-32—64 -7 Kevin Roy .................................. 33-32—65 -6 Adam Svensson ....................... 32-34—66 -5 Cary Yuan ................................. 33-33—66 -5 Peter Mainati ........................... 36-30—66 -5 Brendon Todd .......................... 35-32—67 -4 Keith Mitchell .......................... 37-30—67 -4 Aaron Baddeley ....................... 34-33—67 -4 Rico Hoey .................................. 32-35—67 -4 Chez Reavie .............................. 33-34—67 -4 Ryan Palmer ............................. 34-33—67 -4 HaydenSpringer ..................... 34-33—67-4 Justin Suh ................................. 34-34—68 -3 Justin Thomas ......................... 33-35—68 -3 Seamus Power ......................... 34-34—68 -3 Mackenzie Hughes .................. 37-31—68 -3 Hayden Buckley ....................... 34-34—68 -3 Ben Martin ................................ 37-31—68 -3 Chris Gotterup ......................... 33-35—68 -3 Xander Schauffele .................. 35-33—68 -3 Nick Taylor ............................... 33-35—68 -3 Lucas Glover ............................ 33-35—68 -3 AdamHadwin .......................... 34-34—68-3 Dylan Wu .................................. 33-35—68 -3 Ryo Hisatsune .......................... 35-33—68 -3 Chandler Phillips ..................... 35-33—68 -3 Alejandro Tosti ........................ 35-33—68 -3 Christiaan Bezuidenhout ....... 36-33—69 -2 Sam Ryder ................................ 35-34—69 -2 Stewart Cink ............................ 36-33—69 -2 Cameron Young ........................ 37-32—69 -2 Callum Tarren ........................... 37-32—69 -2 Zac Blair .................................... 34-35—69 -2 Roger Sloan .............................. 35-34—69 -2 Max Greyserman .................... 33-36—69 -2 Thomas Detry .......................... 35-34—69 -2 Beau Hossler ............................ 36-33—69 -2 Greyson Sigg ............................ 34-35—69 -2 Matt Wallace ........................... 34-35—69 -2 Taylor Moore ............................ 34-35—69 -2 Jordan Speith ........................... 35-34—69 -2 Billy Horschel ........................... 34-35—69 -2 Maverick McNealy .................. 35-34—69 -2 Sami Valimaki .......................... 34-35—69 -2 Ryan McCormick ..................... 34-35—69 -2 Parker Coody ........................... 35-34—69 -2
MIDWEST REGIONAL
First Round
Today’s games At Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis
Purdue (29-4) vs. Grambling St., 4:25 p.m. Utah St. (27-6) vs. TCU (21-12), 6:55 p.m.
Thursday’s results At Delta Center Salt Lake City
Gonzaga 86, McNeese St. 65 Kansas 93, Samford 89
At PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
Oregon 87, South Carolina 73 Creighton 77, Akron 60
At Spectrum Center Charlotte, N.C.
Texas 56, Colorado St. 44 Tennessee 83, St. Peter’s 49
WEST REGIONAL
First Round
Thursday’s results At Spectrum Center Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina 90, Wagner 62 Michigan St. 69, Mississippi St. 51
At Delta Center Salt Lake City
Dayton 63, Nevada 60
Arizona 85, Long Beach St. 65
Today’s games
At Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Spokane, Wash.
Saint Mary’s (26-7) vs. Grand Canyon (29-4), 7:05 p.m.
Alabama (21-11) vs. Coll. of Charleston (27-7), 4:35 p.m.
At FedExForum Memphis, Tenn.
Clemson (21-11) vs. New Mexico (26-9), 12:10 p.m.
Baylor (23-10) vs. Colgate (25-9), 9:40 a.m.