Former Minnesota Aurora FC keeper Sarah Fuller on Tuesday announced her retirement from soccer. (credit: Minnesota Aurora FC)
MINNEAPOLIS – Sarah Fuller was the first player before the summer of 2022 to sign with Minnesota Aurora FC, the first women’s pre-professional soccer team in the state’s history.
Fuller on Tuesday announced on social media that after more than 20 years in soccer, she’s retiring from the game. Fuller has been a trailblazer in women’s sports the last several years, coming to Minnesota Aurora FC after being the first woman to score points in a Division I college football game as a kicker at Vanderbilt.
“I am at a place where I am excited to start a new chapter in my life. After nearly 20 years on the pitch I have decided to hang up my cleats. Soccer gave me more than I could have ever asked for. I am grateful for the successes and the failures, the people I have met, and the opportunities the beautiful game has granted me,” Fuller posted to social media.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, and staff member I have worked with over the years, to my friends and family who have supported my dreams, and a special thank you to Aurora FC for standing in net one last time in the best environment I could have ever imagined. It has been an honor to be a part of such a monumental team. My hope is to have inspired others and left the game better than I found it. I know my younger self would be proud,” she added. .
As the starting goalkeeper, Fuller played in 13 of 15 matches and clocked 1,065 minutes of playing time. Fuller allowed eight goals in 13 games, and posted six shutouts. Fuller posted a 0.846 save percentage and 0.68 goals against average.
Fuller helped lead Minnesota Aurora FC to an undefeated regular season at 11-0-1, the franchise’s first home playoff win and first trip to the USL-W championship game.
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