It’s been quite a week for Sarah Fuller.
On Sunday, Nov. 22, the senior goalkeeper backstopped Vanderbilt University to the Southeast Conference women’s soccer championship.
On Saturday, Nov. 28, Fuller played another type of football while making history. She became the first woman to play in a Southeastern Conference football game in Vanderbilt’s 41-0 loss to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.
At the start of the second half, Fuller did the Vandy kickoff, lining her attempt 30 yards down field to the 35-yard line.
“I honestly haven’t taken a second to soak it all in, really. I just think it’s incredible that I am able to do this,” Fuller was quoted by the Vanderbilt athletics website. “All I want to is be a good influence to the young girls out there because there were times that I struggled in sports but I am so thankful I stuck with it. It’s giving me so many opportunities and I’ve met so many amazing people through sports.
“I just want to say, literally, you can do anything you set your mind to – that’s the No. 1 thing.”
The back of her helmet said, “Play like a girl.”
After helping Vanderbilt win the soccer championship, the Wylie, Texas native thought her college athletic days were over, until she received a phone call. The football team’s kickers were sidelined with COVID-19. She accepted the challenge.
The soccer team capped a memorable season last week by capturing the SEC women’s tournament. The Commodores defeated Arkansas (9-2) in the final, 3-1, at Orange Beach, Ala. Fuller made three saves.
Fuller started nine games for Vandy, recording a 7-2 mark, three shutouts and a 0.97 goals-against average.
Vanderbilt (8-4) finished eighth in the United Soccer Coaches Division I women’s rankings.
