NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Women's soccer player Sarah Fuller has practiced with the Vanderbilt football team, and coach Derek Mason said Wednesday she's a good option to be the Commodores kicker Saturday against Missouri.
"She's really good with a soccer ball, she seems to be pretty good with a football so we'll see," Mason said. "We're keeping all options open right now, and we'll get a chance to see what she does on Saturday if given the opportunity."
Mason said his Commodores (0-7) are having health issues with their specialists. Vanderbilt has declined to comment on any players who've either tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine. Junior Pierson Cooke is 3-of-7 on field goals this season, and junior Wes Farley is the backup.
Fuller, a senior from Wylie, Texas, made three saves last weekend as Vanderbilt upset top-seeded Arkansas 3-1 in women's soccer to capture the Southeastern Conference Tournament tile.
Mason said he reached out to soccer coach Darren Ambrose, a close friend, to see if Fuller could work as an option. He saw Fuller kick in practice Tuesday both off the tee and kicking a couple field goals.
"I just wanted to see how strong her leg was, and I can tell you she's got a strong leg," Mason said. "We'll see what that yields. I mean in terms of distances, I'm not into talking about that. I got another like day to day to go in there and evaluate exactly where she sits. ... She seems to be a pretty good option."
No woman has appeared in an SEC football game or for any Power 5 team.
Liz Heaston became the first woman to play in a college football game Oct. 19, 1997, when she kicked two extra points for Willamette in NAIA. Ashley Martin was the first woman to kick in a Division I game Aug. 30, 2001, with three extra points for Jacksonville State in the now Football Championship Subdivision.
