Former Vanderbilt kicker, college football star Sarah Fuller inks pro contract
Former Vanderbilt goalkeeper Sarah Fuller has signed a contract with Minnesota Aurora FC of the USL W League, the team announced Monday. Fuller, who played this past season with the North Texas soccer team, gained notoriety in 2020 when she joined the Commodores football team as a kicker.
The USL W League is set to begin its first season in May. Per its website, it will serve as the “nation’s premier pre-professional league developing the next generation of women’s talent.” It already has at least 30 teams committed for its inaugural season.
Sarah Fuller is the first player to sign a contract with the Minnesota-based team.
“Sarah is a fantastic player and an even better person,” Minnesota Aurora FC coach Nicole Lukic said. “Having a leader like Sarah that has broken down barriers is a perfect fit for us.”
With Vanderbilt limited at kicker due to COVID-19 during the 2020 season, Fuller joined the team ahead a Nov. 28 contest against Missouri. She opened the second half of the game with a squib quick, making history by becoming the first woman to play in a Power 5 conference game.
Later that season she went 2-for-2 on extra points against Tennessee, becoming also the first woman to score in a Power 5 game.
Fuller’s soccer career at Vanderbilt was hindered by injuries at first, which caused her to miss her entire first season. Her struggles to stay healthy would continue, as she played just two games over the next two years. She finally got her chance to start midway through her senior season, leading to Commodores to an SEC Championship against Arkansas.
The goalkeeper had 28 saves on the season, including three in the SEC title game, and led Vanderbilt to a 7-2 record in her nine starts. She graduated from the university that May with a degree in Medicine, Health and Society. Her decision to transfer to North Texas was to pursue a master’s in hospital administration, something that was not offered at Vanderbilt.
Fuller started 17 games for the Mean Green in 2021, leading them to an 8-5-4 record. She finished the year with 43 total saves and a save percentage of 76.8%.
Minnesota Aurora FC opens the season May 26 against Green Bay.