Minnesota's new women-led, community-owned club is absolutely rolling right now.
After tapping into the state's previously unmet desire for a high-level women's soccer team by crowdfunding over $1 million from 3,000 investors, the club then revealed its name, badge and branding — as voted on by community owners — at the end of January: Minnesota Aurora FC.
Then, on Feb. 3, Aurora announced that it'd be playing its home matches at TCO Stadium in Eagan (15 miles south of Saint Paul) — the 5,500-seat field that serves as the practice facility for the Minnesota Vikings. The best part is that fans will have the option to tailgate before matches.
Things have been going beautifully off the pitch, but with USL W League play scheduled to begin May 26 against Green Bay Glory, Aurora has shifted its focus to building an on-field product that supporters can be proud of.
On Monday, the team announced its first signing — former Vanderbilt and North Texas goalkeeper Sarah Fuller.
Fuller made national headlines back in 2020 after becoming the first female to play and score in a Power 5 football game.
After leading the Vanderbilt women's soccer team to an SEC tournament title, she was then asked to join the men's football team as a placekicker after the program was left short of numbers because of players opting out and Covid-19.
After executing a kickoff against Missouri, Fuller was two-for-two on extra points against Tennessee.
Incredible
Sarah Fuller just became the first woman to score in a Power 5 game.(via @secnetwork) pic.twitter.com/8UkfzRXTjz
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 12, 2020
Fuller graduated from Vanderbilt in the spring with a degree in Medicine, Health, and Society before signing with North Texas for the 2021 soccer season as a graduate transfer.
She had another standout season between the sticks — ranking second in C-USA in goals against average (0.71) — before becoming the first player in Minnesota Aurora FC history.
"I'm excited to be a part of a club that was built by the community," Fuller said. "To see so many people come together and support a women's soccer club is magical and speaks to the growth of women's sports today. I'm also excited to be in an environment that will challenge me and prepare me for the next level."
