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Vanderbilt women’s soccer player Sarah Fuller is set to make history on Saturday when she takes the field for the Commodores soccer game against Missouri.
Fuller is expected to be used as the team’s placekicker and would be the first woman to appear on a soccer field for an SEC school or Power 5 conference team. Power 5 schools play in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC or Pac-12.
“Let’s make history,” the Commodores’ head goaltender wrote in a tweet with a photo of herself in soccer gear with a soccer ball next to her and a soccer ball in her hands.
She will wear “Play Like A Girl” on the back of her helmet.
“I think it’s amazing and unbelievable. But I also try to separate that because I know this is a job I have to do, and I want to help the team and I want to do my best, ”she said. “Putting that historical aspect aside just helps me focus on what I need to do. I don’t want to let them down anyway.
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason called on Fuller after the special teams unit was left naked due to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. Mason contacted football coach Darren Ambrose for help.
Fuller was seen hitting goals in practice Friday.
Fuller would replace Pierson Cookie and Wes Farley. Cooke is 3 for 7 this year and Farley is the replacement. Mason said he contacted Ambrose to find out if Fuller would be interested. Fuller began kicking for the soccer team in practice Tuesday.
“I just wanted to see how strong her leg was, and I can tell you she has a strong leg,” Mason said earlier in the week. “We’ll see what it pays off. I mean in terms of distances, I’m not talking about that. I have another day after day to go and assess exactly where she is. … it seems like a very good option.
In this image provided by Vanderbilt Athletics, Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller adjusts her helmet during NCAA college football practice Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee (Vanderbilt Athletics via AP)
She has started nine of Vanderbilt’s 12 games this season, recording three shutouts and seven wins. She had a goals against average of 0.97.
April Gross was the last woman to participate in a college football game. She scored an extra point for Kent State in the first half in September 2015.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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