Gender history is likely to be made at the FBS college football level, as Kent State head coach Paul Haynes promises that a female kicker will play for them this season, according to David Mercer of the Associated Press.
A former high school soccer player named April Goss is the one who will break the barrier this year according to Haynes. Goss has been a walk-on kicker for the Golden Flashes since her freshman year, but she has yet to see actual game time.
"Before this year's out, she'll get out there. I promise you that," Haynes said Saturday after losing to Illinois 52-3, according to the Associated Press.
Goss has been waiting for a chance to make history, and it seems like it will happen this year.
"That's something that I've been hoping for a while now," Goss said, via Associated Press. "It's all about being patient."
Goss has experience in practice and even kicked a game-winning field goal in their 2014 Spring Game, but she hasn't gotten close to getting on the field during an official game. Goss is the only woman currently on a Division I roster, according to the Associated Press. Goss has put in the work, and has shown that she deserves a shot to make history.
"She works her tail off. She's the first one out there in practice and the last one off the field," Haynes said, via Associated Press. "Every time someone gets up and talks, one of our players gets up and talks, they always talk about they've got brothers, and a sister."
Goss first got into football in high school. She was a soccer player, but her junior year she tried kicking extra points for the football team and really enjoyed it. Goss has kicked a 40 yarder in practice, but her automatic distance is around 10 yards, so it will be interesting when she is placed in the game.
Kent State plays Delaware State next, and it is unknown if Goss will get he shot at history then. Ideally it would be great if Goss got her chance at a home game in front of the school and fans, but as long as she gets her chance at history that is likely all that matters.
