Vanderbilt Women's Soccer Goalkeeper Practices With Football Team as a Kicker
Vanderbilt football has a chance to make Power 5 history on Saturday.
Because of COVID-19 protocols landing specialists in quarantine, women's soccer starting goalkeeper Sarah Fuller practiced with the football team as a kicker on Tuesday, The Vanderbilt Hustler's Simon Gibbs reported.
While she did not take a snap on Tuesday, Fuller was in full pads and uniform, walking through "with coaches and at least one specialist on the sidelines." If the senior from Wylie, Texas, plays on Saturday, it's believed she'll be the first woman to log a snap in a Power 5 game.
During the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday, head coach Derek Mason confirmed that Fuller was at practice and that she’s “an option” to kick against Missouri on Saturday.
"She's got a strong leg. We'll see what that yields," Mason said. "... Sarah's an option. She seems to be a pretty good option, so we'll figure out what that looks like on Saturday."
Becca Longo already made history as the first woman to be offered a college football scholarship. She was injured during the 2018 season and never attempted an in-game kick or played in a game.
Fuller tallied her first start for the soccer team against South Carolina in mid-October and held onto the starting position through the Commodores’ recent SEC Tournament title.
“Right now, we’re just looking at all options,” Mason said on ESPN 102.5 The Game. “For us, talking to Sarah, she’s a champ, and no pun intended. Just coming off an SEC Championship in soccer … She’s a complete competitor. She’s an option for us. Right now, that’s where we sit.”
Vanderbilt is just 3–7 in field goals this season; however, it's reportedly not due to lack of talent. The specialists are plagued with COVID-19 related quarantines.
The 0–7 team will travel to play Missouri on Saturday.