With just two days notice, Vanderbilt senior goalkeeper Sarah Fuller became the the first woman ever to step on the field in a Power 5 football game.

As everyone knows by now, the Commodores were decimated by coronavirus absences and had just two special teamers eligible to play.  The SEC doesn’t play men’s soccer, presumably because it is too subtle for minds raised on football, so (now former) head coach Derek Mason looked to the women’s ranks.  And with Sarah’s parents en route to come pick her up for winter break, Mason got to her within time.

Fuller only got the one kick.  Vandy sucks this year, like it does most years.  The Commodores never got into field goal position — Fuller estimated that her range was about 37 yards — and they never scored.  This one kick would be her only action.

But what a moment. If there is a small sliver of a silver lining this pandemic season, Sarah Fuller is that silver lining.

One small step for a woman. One much larger step for mankind.

See more:  This was never an easy path…