NAOTB: Sydney Fuller
Each week, Madeline Osborn of 12thMan.com checks in with a newcomer on the Texas A&M soccer team.
This week she chatted with Sydney Fuller, a freshman goalkeeper who recently posted her first career collegiate shutout.
What age did you start playing soccer? And what are some of your earliest memories of playing?
I started playing when I was three years old when I could barely even walk. I was crawling around the field. Some of my earliest memories are all the friendships I made while being so young and those are still my friends that I have today. Getting to be a part of such a close-knit team growing up and the memories that I'll have for the rest of my life, it's really special.
There's usually a good story on how one becomes a goalkeeper, how did you become one?
I swear they're always the same. It's like nobody else wanted to play and I was like, I'll do it, but that's literally the case. My dad was my youth rec team coach and he said, “You have to go play since nobody else wants to do it.” Obviously, I have the height to, so I played and I was like this is kind of fun. Then on my club team, our goalkeeper got hurt so they shoved me in the goal and again I thought, this is actually kind of fun, I kind of like this and then it just stuck. That was when I was 12 and haven't turned back and I have loved it since.
At what age did you realize that you could play at the Division I level?
That's a good question because I feel like it took me longer than a lot of people. I played for a small team almost my whole life until freshman year of high school, which is when a lot of people are already competing at a high level. I got to that point and thought if I really want to make it to the next level, I have to do that for myself. I took the steps to get on a bigger platform, train harder, and make opportunities for myself. Then toward the end of my freshman year I realized I could actually make it bigger than I thought I could.
What goes on through your head before a penalty kick?
The best thing that I can try to do when I have a super high intense situation is to have tunnel vision and only think about the shot. I envision myself making the save. I'm thinking about what it's going to look like, what I have to do and no other thoughts. I'm zoned in on what's about to happen and that's like the only thing I can focus on. I think of the best positive outcome and put positive vibes out there.
Who would you say your biggest soccer inspiration is?
Recently, I'd say my biggest is Matt Turner, the men's national team goalkeeper because he became a goalkeeper so late as well. He was a basketball player his whole life but had the athleticism and I take a lot from him because he is one of the best out there right now. He competes at such a high level and his career started later, but then put so much work in to catch up to where he was behind. I think that is so impressive to be able to start so late in life in the game and still end up at such a high level.
Being a goalie comes with a lot of pressure, how do you deal with that?
It is a struggle, honestly, every day, that's something that has been really hard in my life is the mental part behind it. I would say mentally, it's probably the toughest position out there because you are either the zero or the hero, there is not an in between. So that is something that I battled my first year at this level and that I am battling every single day. Trying to reinforce the idea that I do belong here and I do deserve it. It is so easy to get down on yourself when you're here. I think the best thing I do to instill confidence in myself before I go out is praying and instilling the idea that I have what it takes to be here and then going out with that tunnel vision, I was talking about earlier. Also, keeping that mentality the whole game but it's really a work in progress. I'm not the best person for that question because it's something that I'm battling with every day, but I'm working on getting there.
With Coach G having been a goalkeeper as well, how has that helped you and benefited your development?
It's awesome. I think he's the wisest person I've ever met. Not even just in goalkeeping, but he's been around a while. This man knows what he's talking about. It is so cool because I can be in a scrimmage or just at practice and I'll make one little mistake and I turn around and he already knows exactly what to say. I don't even have to think. It's like he is already helping me out with exactly what I need, and he's experienced all of this. It’s so nice to have someone that, any single question I have, there's an answer to, and I can apply it and I can already see progress. I think that's so awesome and he's a great mentor overall because he knows what it's like, the mentality we're talking about. He just knows what it's like to be a goalkeeper and he helps build us up every day.
So what do you like to do in your free time?
I love going to the lake and wake surfing. Since I've been here just trying to take the small little time I do have like making memories with new friends. I also like working out, being active, hiking, and traveling. I'm excited to travel to new places with the team this year and everything that comes with it.
What is your favorite kind of music?
I love old music. Like 60s, 70s and 80s are all my favorites. Every time I say that people are like, what? I really like anything, but that's the music I grew up listening to with my dad. Some of my favorites are The Eagles, The Bee Gees and Fleetwood Mac.
What are your career aspirations after soccer is over?
I'm majoring in business right now and very interested in that. Since I was a little girl, I also have wanted to work in sports because it's been such a big part of my life. Whether that's like the business aspect, a sports analyst or sideline reporter because I've seen the power behind sports that I feel you don't really understand unless you experience it yourself. So that's something I would love to continue to work in.
Besides soccer, whatOlympic sport would you like to play against the other two goalkeepers and who would get gold, silver and bronze?
If it was a team sport, the three of us would run up 3v3 basketball. I already know because Maysen Veronda is insane at basketball. We would do really well with that. If it was individual though, I think we'd have to do gymnastics because we already are kind of acrobatic, but it wouldn't be very graceful. It would be a mess. I definitely could see Grace McClellan winning the gold because it’s insane how that girl moves around. Then Maysen and I are probably both be up for silver or bronze. It would be interesting to watch.
You talked about your dad a little bit and what he means to you. What's something that he's instilled in you?
My dad is like my biggest role model in everything. I used to make fun of him because every little thing was a life lesson, but now I take so much pride in that. I think the biggest thing is he always says life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. That is something that I've really had to start thinking about both on and off the field. On the field, as a goalkeeper especially, you literally cannot control what happens in the game. You can do your part to stop a shot, but you don't know what it's going to look like, and you can't really plan ahead. So, reacting the best I can and making the most out of every opportunity. As well as here at school you just never really know what's going to happen and being able to take it on the run and do whatever you can make the most of every opportunity. I strive for that every day.
