South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Vanderbilt’s Fuller makes history
Soccer goalkeeper 1st woman to appear in Power 5 game
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 Southeastern Conference soccer tournament. On Saturday, she made history. Fuller became the firstwoman to participate in a Power Five conference football game when she kicked off for Vanderbilt to start the second half at Missouri, amoment that may take some time to soak in for her.
“I just think it’s incredible that I amable to do this, and all I want to do is be a good influence to the young girls out there because there were times I struggled in sports,” Fuller said. “I amso thankful I stuck with it ... it has given me so many opportunities. I’ve met so many amazing people throughsports, andI justwant to say 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 lowkick to the 35 where itwas pounced on by Missouri’s Mason Pack. Fuller didn’t get any other opportunities in Vanderbilt’s 41-0 loss to Missouri.
No woman had appeared in an SEC football game or for any Power Five team. Liz Heaston became the first woman to score with two extra points forWillamette inNAIA on Oct. 18, 1997.
KatieHnidawas the firstwomanto score
at the FBS level with two extra points for NewMexico on Aug. 30, 2003.
Coach Derek Mason made clear that Fuller kicked for the Commodores due to 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-foot-2 goalkeeper, decided she was up for the challenge.
“I’m not about making statements,” Mason said. “Thiswas 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 some of
her new teammates and swapped some elbowbumps. Fuller’s parentswatched and cheered from the stands along with her boyfriend and best friend.
Fuller practiced with the Commodores thisweek after helping the women’s soccer team win the SEC tournament last weekend. Fuller said her longest field goal in practicewas 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 number when playing soccer.
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.