This woman should be ban forever to play, if I had been one of the girls that she abused I would have stumped on her face at least push her nouse in with the heel of my hand. She is nothin but a bully that got away with that behavior too long and the referees or coaches where. where they they also should be charged for allowing this bitch to get away with that.

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If I’m not mistaken Elizabeth Lamberts is not only a Student-Athlete but also a MWC all academic conference athlete that means the lady has a some type of brain and any hypocrite trying to parade as a former or current student athlete on this forum knows very well THAT’S A VERY HARD THING TO DO to continue to get excellent grades and remain an active player, THAT’S TOUGH. You don’t believe me? Ask Michael Jordan about his degree in Geography (US Geography mind you).
So all this non-sense about the player and the coach is nothing but garbage the blame rest solely on the referee nothing prevented him from issuing a red card anytime or at least a yellow card followed by another yellow (instant red card) particularly when the other team was the almighty BYU who according to MWC officials should be treated with silk gloves (God forbids they don’t make it to the NCAA tourney)
The ref blew it don’t blame the player make that THE KEY PLAYER who was all over the area trying to control the skillful cougar team all by herself and taking all those taunts and verbal abuse the cougars are known for. Anybody who doesn’t know anything about the MWC (the Utes and the Cougars hate each other practically to death) shouldn’t even opine because according to MWC history it all always goes back to the cougars being the aggressors and as you can see (if you know anything about the game) even the tainted video manipulated by ESPN shows that Elizabeth was merely reacting to the actions of the BYU players.
Did Elizabeth go too far? She has acknowledged that much herself. What do you want besides blood you idiots? If you have to blame someone blame the refs, they are good for nothing.

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What a thug. That kind of behavior should not be tolerated no matter what the sport. If she wants to act like that she should go into the UFC. She should be out and the coach reprimanded because she obviously condones Lambert’s style of play.

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“True Soccer Fan” you almost made a good point by stating that lack of control by the officials. That particular crew should be excused from any further action in the tourney.

But your antipathy for BYU and your rationalizing Lamert’s thuggery, show that you condone her behavior. While I do not think she should be suspended from school, it would not be unjustified for her to be suspended from the team for the remainder of the season.

As for Lambert’s apology? An apology made under duress is really not much of an apology, had it come immediately after the game, or if Lambert moderated her actions during the game then an apology would seem more sincere. As it stands, her belated statement seems pressed and insincere.

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Elizabeth Lambert is a thug who obviously has no control over her feelings. She ASSAULTED the other young lady and criminal charges should be filed against her. Also, why is she still enrolled at this school? Her actions warrant expulsion, nothing less. Her parents clearly did a poor job raising this (marginal) person. Send her back to them and keep her away from the soccer field. She should thank her lucky stars that this was not my child that she assaulted.

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As far as I am concerned the other team (BYU) started the whole thing. If you look closely you will see Elizabeth getting elbowed before she punched that player who then fell as if she didn’t do anything. If I was ever going to pick a woman player to play with men, Elizabeth Lambert would be that player. The only thing she did wrong is that she did not lift up the other players and acted as if she was sorry :-) As for the refs, they saw the game like everyone else and knew that this was just hard soccer. That is why it is a beautiful game. I condone her actions as i am sure anyone who plays in a defensive role will know, let the opponent fear you as this is your area and you will take no prisoners. Go Elizabeth Lambert. You have my vote anyday.

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I think there’s a definite future for Elizabeth in either Roller Derby or Pro Wrestling. I would love to see her go head-to-head with Tanya Harding. They deserve each other.

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I agree with Ruffneck. BYU was not innocent. Elizabeth Lambert is a very aggressive soccer player — this is not a bad quality. Maybe she went a little overboard but the officials didn’t stop her. So, maybe not. She played in a manner that the game required and should not be punished for that.

As for criminal charges — that is the most absurd thing that I have ever heard. (with the possible exception of expulsion from the university) It is a game and as anyone that has ever played will tell you, soccer is most definately a full-contact sport.

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Lambert did not intentionally kick the ball into the BYU player’s face; as a defender, you are supposed to clear the ball out of your teams “danger zone” (i.e. the box). The ponytail slam was indeed a red card offense, but a criminal act? Give me a break. Contrary to popular belief, soccer is a PHYSICAL game. Do not demonize this young woman anymore. The game had championship implications and, any athlete knows, adrenaline gets the best of us sometimes.

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This individual needs to become a member of…

www.IMsorry.com

This would be a step in the right direction!

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Obviously she should not have done this and hopefully the ref could have stopped it earlier but take another look at the video and you will see her getting elbowed in the gut and just before she pulled the other girl down by the hair, the other girl has grabbed and has her shorts wrapped up in her hand. She didn’t want to take it anymore and pulled her down by the hair.

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Was she provoked? Yes. Did Lambert start it? Can’t tell. Doesn’t matter.

Because what I do see from Lambert is ESCALATION. At every incitment she doesn’t just respond in kind, she takes it up a notch or two.

An elbow tap gets a forearm shiver in return. A slap to the chest gets a flailing slap to face that snapps her opponents head back. A grab of the jersey gets the ponytail body slam.

She was out of control and escalating throughout the game.

And blaming the refs for not seeing it is like muggers blaming the cops for not stopping them.

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Ms. Lambert’s acts are simply not justified, regardless of the level of BYU provocation. Her apology, like the quote from her coach, indicates an inability to comprehend the serious nature of her actions. Someone capable of that violence needs professional counseling before being allowed on the field again. UNM needs to discipline the coach, and soon, if it is to undo the terrible blight this incident is leaving on the world about the university and its’ athletes. Already, mainstream media attention is shifting from Ms. Lambert to the absence of outrage on the part of school officials, from the coach to the Board. Editorial room discussions are noting ONLY students at UNM have voiced the level of personal shock expected by the public, and merited by the incident.

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brad, muggers pick their targets from unwilling participants who have not generally provoked them into mugging them. your analogy is stupid. elizabeth lambert does not deserve any of this international attention. the video was designed to create a media storm. job well done.

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Dear “Soccer Fan”,
You wrote “She played in a manner that the game required and should not be punished for that.” I don’t know what planet you live on, but here on planet Earth I think the overwhelming majority of folks would not characterize Elizabeth Lambert’s manner of play as something “required” of the game.

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11/10/09

Ms. Lambert is a BULLY. She’s probably been behaving this way twds. others and on the field since a little girl and was never stopped. The ASSAULT is a criminal assault and the player’s she so brutally attacked should file charges. Lambert needs to be kicked off the team. The ASSAULTS looked like she even had time to think about what she was doing and even appeared to feel empowered by her ugly actions. She looked quite practiced in her abusive hits and moves. If she had attacked my child—I would sue her and the school. A BULLY. FILE CHARGES. KICK HER OFF THE TEAM FOR GOOD. Wake up, UNM—you’ve had alot of Athletic Assaults lately. Why is this VIOLENCE being condoned? UNM tends to move their abusers from Dept. to Dept.

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i loved it…it made womens soccer more entertaining…beat a bitch down! ahahahahhahahhaha whoop that trick! I wanna marry that sexy ass elizabeth lambert.

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It’s call “combat soccer” around here. We see it alot and it is getting worse as girls push for playing time and the chance of college. It is inexcusable at all levels, playing, coaching and reffing. This kind of play is not new to Ms. Lambert nor her team. They have been playing this way since the 9th grade. Shame on the coaching staff that permits this. Flag for moderation

MS lamberts behavior was in appropriate and she did have or should have has the most responsibility for her actions….but her coach and the referee and his/her assistants had responsibility as well. For the most part I agree with A True Soccer Fan……

My daughter was a D1 soccer goal keeper and I can attest to how very physical the game has become at the highest levels. I am in favor of agressive play…….it’s the way the “beautiful game” is meant to be played………i am opposed to “dirty” play………and in my opinion some of each existed in the BYU vs NM game. Heck……even the blonde BYU player explaining the score to Ms Lambert could have been yellow carded for her behavior.

DO NOT remove her form the team!

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Anyone who has played soccer or any sport knows that there will always be alot of subtle elbows thrown here and there. The “reactions” that Elizabeth Lambert gave were cheap and uncalled for. This is not the example of a great soccer player, she let her emotions get the better of her and took her head out of the game! But all in all, I can’t help but think that she is a scapegoat here. For a coach who was feeling the heat for not doing more. (seriously, this is the first time she has thrown a punch? We have all heard the coaches that will condone this behavior, by laughing, or congratulating players on their “good tough play”.) For a team of referees who looked the other way. (I actually had a soccer referee(male) tell me that referees love to see women soccer teams get “scrappy” and will hesitate to blow their whistles until the crowd becomes vocal)So now a young girls soccer career is ruined! Where were her mentors? parents? coaches? teammates?

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Dear James,

Lambert does deserve this kind of international attention. I’ve watched many soccer games over the years and never have I seen such violence by one player in one game! Her actions and reactions were totally inexcusable. The coaches for UNM and the refs were also partly to blame. Nevertheless, this woman needs to grow up. If you don’t want international attention, stop acting in extreme ways and be a fair athlete.

Jim D

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For all those that think Elizabeth play was ok you just love to see a fight ( watch boxing or UFC ) If you have followed even some of the best women athletes in this wonderful sport agree that she crossed the line not just a little but by a million miles or so. Yes soccer is a physical sport and the occasional elbow or tug on the jersey happens on both sides this is expected but what Ms. Lambert did was over the top play the sport with integrety and sportsmanship.

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Only one point— some of the commenters seem to think there is some sort of a “magical exception” to the criminal laws of a state, for actions on an athletic field. As a long-experienced lawyer with background in criminal law, I can tell you that you are just completely, dead, wrong. There is not. The fact that all the players are voluntarily involved in tough play, and even that the opposing player may have “started it”, might all provide some defenses to a criminal charge of assault (which is what an attack like this would usually be charged as, if it happened on a city street.) It does not make it any the less illegal, assuming all the other factors required for a criminal conviction are present.

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jim d, you need to watch a few more games.

provocative elbows and shirt/short grabbing are not good sportmanship, no matter what anybody says.

both teams are guilty, coaches included. all refs also guilty. ms lambert is getting a raw deal. she is being singled out unfairly because she went too far, but she didn’t even hurt anybody. nobody got hurt.

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True soccer players that are any good don’t have to use this kind of behavior. Typically the only players that do use this aggressive, bullying technique are those that are not as good as their opponents. They feel the only way to beat their opponents (because they haven’t got the best ball control) is to beat them down. True soccer is not an aggressive game. It is all about who can control and manipulate the ball better.

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There is plenty of blame to go around. As a referee (including college) I placed first blame on the ref team. It is the first responsibility to maintain a safe game and this they did not do. I wish that I could see the full tape of the games to put the clips into context and to see where and how the Center and AR were on plays. In looking at the clips available I counted 4 Send-off misconducts (2 Serious Foul Play and 2 Violent Conduct) plus two Cautions for Unsporting Behavior. I understand that it was a rough game but as a referee you assess actions as they happen. If it is violent conduct it is violent conduct (if it was retaliation may be the cause be does not alter the call). If I see the provoking action, it may get a caution or sned-off (or a verbal warning) based on the action.

As for the coaches, they should not condone this type of behavious, period. The player should have been pulled after the first significant incident, regardless of the actions of the refs. If the coaches condone this type of play then they do not honor the spirit of the game.

As for the player, I find here off the ball antics disgusting but pale to the actions on the ball. In two situations I see a player on a vendetta to injure the other players. With some problems in looking at editted clips I find her play around a BYU player that appears to be on her knees and hands unbelieveable. She attacks the ball and appears to knee the player. This would be Dangerous Play by itself. Then she appears to hold the BYU player while kicking or kneeing and then lets her fall to the ground while running over her.

In the other case, where she trips a BYU player making a run at the top of the penalty area. The trip could be a Yellow for Unsporting Behaviour (breaking up an attack) but on reflection I would change that to a Send-off because there was no attempt to play the ball (it was out of playing distance to her at the time of the trip). The intent of the trip appeared to be to take the player out. Also, I might have awarded a PK for the actions of the other UNM player that kicked the loose ball into the face of the fallen BYU player.

To me, the most egregious action was the blatant tackle from behind again moving for the players feet instead of the ball. Tackles from behind are near impossible at best but putting a leg through the legs of the attacker and making purposeful contact to the leg is SERIOUS FOUL PLAY and required the RED

As a ref, I know that you can’t know intent but this series of actions but not lead a person to believe each was done without intent. This game seriously scars the University of New Mexico and its entire athletic program to say nothing of the soccer team itself. The ref should be reviewed and sanctioned for bad game amangement, the coaches should be reveiwed and sanctioned for allowing such poor sportsmanship and anger to continue on the field.

As for the player, most associations have disciplinary procedures that are meant to deal with this kind of behaviour. Since she did not receive a send-off automatic suspensions would no be in place. But her actions should be reviewed and disciplined as if they were given cards for misconduct

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I would like to note that in playing sports, the competative spirit can go overboard and lead to actions that the players aren’t proud of. I am not condoning what Ms.Lambert has done, however, we must consider that she was not called out after the first action. Where were the referees? Did they not see the play, or her actions afterward? Why was no warning given? I agree with the writer in asking why the coach did nothing to repremand the players actions. After the first infraction, she should have been given a warning, followed by elimination from teh game when she failed to heed the warning.
Suspending her from playing is a good punishment, however, I do not think it has to be permanent. She should be given another chance to redeem herself and hopefully learn to display better sportsmanship. For those who want to eliminate her from the team completely, I have one question; would they take such action against a male player? Knowing that many times in a men’s game there can be multiple examples of what would be considered illegal actions, and we all call it “just part of the game” or “just getting too into the game”. There have been many instances in men’s sports where a player acted out and didn’t receive nearly the attention that Lambert is getting. Is it because she is a female? So we don’t think that women can get overly competative and act out improperly? A repremand is good, but permanent suspension is going overboard, especially since it probably wouldn’t be done to a male player.
In concluding, yes, this hurt UNM’s reputation, but I don’t think all the blame should fall on the player. We must also look to the referees and coaches for allowing the actions to continue. Also, we must look at what provoked Lambert to act out, and take it into consideration. As for suspension, a good choice, but don’t make it permanent, give her another chance to change the way she plays the sport. Finally, consider what would have happened if a male player would have acted out. Would he have gotten the same type of response? Punishment? Or even media attention? I dare say that perhaps yes, but I don’t think the attention would have lasted this long.

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Elizabeth there is no excuse for your foul play. You lack finesse, style and exhibit no comprehension that others are intelligent enough to see you for what you are. You are not better than others you’ve just gotten away with too much for too long. You’re a spoilt brat and your 15 minutes are up.

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Thanks to videos and the Internet, news can quickly travel around the world.

Here is today’s London (England) Times article about Lambert’s behavior:

A New Mexico defender has been suspended indefinitely by her soccer team for her violent conduct on the pitch. The antics of Elizabeth Lambert are at a YouTube near you and I defy anyone not to need to watch the clip at least four times.

During the semi-finals of the Mountain West Conference Championship Lambert scythed and hacked at her opponents as if starring in a parody of Leeds United circa 1971. The piece de resistance comes when Lambert yanks at the ponytail of Brigham Young University’s Kassidy Shumway Shunway is fortunate that her neck remains attached to her body. A match commentator is heard to utter: “That is unbelievable, that’s what that is.”

For many, the unbelievable part is that a young woman should behave so thuggishly. Lambert behaves in the worst tradition of ‘ladette’ culture which sees girls ape drunk or dim boys – only with less class. For me the unbelievable part is that Lambert was permitted to go on her rampage without anyone noticing – until the 77th minute when she received a caution. Her opponents sort of accept her behaviour, her team do not appear surprised and the officials are seemingly unable to process the information in front of their eyes.

If only Sir Alex Ferguson had been the Brigham guest manager for the day. Sir Alex expects referees to be in the right place, to the inch, at the right time, every time there is an incident and makes no allowances for any error nor indeed for the fact referees are restricted by the laws of physics as much as any player. Even the good ones.

I suggest he watch the footage of Lambert if only as a reminder that while Premier League officials do not catch every detail, they do see most of what happens. And most of what happens is desperately subtle compared to this soccer game.

“My actions were uncalled for,” Lambert said. “I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation.” This would be an appropriate apology had Lambert fleetingly seen the red mist. It is quite a ludicrous way to explain an entire match’s worth of illegal challenges.

Lambert was quickly labeled The World’s Most Dangerous Soccer Player. Maybe she will sue the officials for allowing her to commit so many fouls. Maybe she should.

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Idiots! I have refereed over 2,000 matches in the past 35 years and I have never observed five (5) Idiots at a soccer field shown during the New Mexico and BYU women’s soccer match. The Red Coach…The Red Thug… and the Blue 3 man Referee Team… ALL need to be banished! I’m convinced RED #15 never composed her apology! A player that vile could never create such a ‘wonderful’ excuse! ‘Thanks’ for allowing an entire nation of young soccer players to figure out that it’s okay to break laws of soccer! P.S. (1) YELLOW CARD??? Joey Edmonds Flag for moderation

My wife and I both grew up playing soccer, and it’s safe to say Lambert’s actions are FAR FROM “HOW PEOPLE PLAY TOUGH”…I have seen more than my fair share of ‘rough play’…there is no excuse for acting like a complete jerk…MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SAME GAME! Players push and shove…sure. PULLING ANOTHER PLAYER DOWN BY THE PONYTAIL? PUNCHING SOMEONE IN THE BACK? Lame, lame, LAME! This type of play is for the weak, poorly-trained hooligan…not a college athlete.

By the sounds of things, it’s Coach Vela’s ‘style’ to allow…even commend her players for such assclownery. If Lambert had not received a card in every game leading up to this, you could try and pin it on a bad day. Nope…this is just a case of a jerk of a soccer player thinking she can get away with something, and the sad leadership by Vela that UNM should be QUICK to distance themselves from.

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This pretty much sums it up accurately:

www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/10/crimesider/entry5601480.shtml

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Come on folks, really. Those of you who have played before at higher than High School know that the game is completely a different animal and the things that happen on the field get pretty physical and sometimes down right dirty. Is it right. No. Does it happen. Yes. And it is part of the game. Please dont get all “ this is the type of play for the weak,poorly-trained hooligan” or “They feel the only way to beat their opponents (because they haven’t got the best ball control) is to beat them down. True soccer is not an aggressive game.” on us. We all witnessed Zidane head butt a player in the highest level of play. Ive watched Mia Hamm cleat another girl in the groin and spit on her cause she pulled her hair, just to name a few instances. These players are some of the best and most respected and skilled in the game. We all know what she did was wrong(and so does she). This girl just got caught on tape. Thats what yellow and red cards are for. Sometimes you get caught and sometimes you dont. But dont act like this is not part of the game.

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Soccer is an aggressive game, and I think everyone can attest to that. I played high school girls varsity soccer for four years and it gets pretty bad out there; pulling hair and yanking on jerseys is definitely expected, as well as the occasional too-aggressive “nudge” from opponents. I definitely agree that in the first few instances Lambert was simply reacting back to actions that were forced upon her first, not to mention that during an intense game it’s all fueled by adrenaline, and emotions tend to run high. It’s a shorter fuse that needs to burn to get to a players anger, especially in higher level soccer. It’s hard to remain calm out there and keep your emotions in check. The other instances however, I did not see any reason for her actions to be so obscene. I’m all about letting the players play the game, it’s bull if you get called for a bit of pushing, but I strongly feel that for every aggressive physical act on the field that you receive, you only have the right to give back the same level of aggression, i.e. someone pulls your hair, you can pull theirs too. Just show them a little taste of their medicine since usually that is the only way of stopping them from doing it to you. If they know that you are going to take it and not do anything, they will just keep on doing it the entire game. As I said, I am all about asserting yourself, but Lamberts actions near the end were unacceptable in my opinion. Granted, the videos I have watched don’t fully show what the other team may have been doing, however slide tackling from behind like that is completely uncalled for, as well as chopping that one girl in the throat (as awesome as it looked). She should have gotten control of herself, and if she couldn’t then her coach should have taken her off of the field. Actually, what should have happened was the refs should have gotten involved and removed her from the game so that her punishment would have been fair to her actions. I feel really sorry for her, because it’s the game of soccer and she obviously loves it and I do not believe that she should have been completely banned for her behavior. Those people who think she is a monster and violent are just being naive and not even bothering to check the facts and probably don’t have much credibility when it comes to soccer. Sufficed to say, I think she learned her lesson, although it is a shame she can’t play anymore. She is obviously a very talented athlete.

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Lambert’s disgraceful actions are an ugly stain on the University’s reputation. Sadly, videos of her repeated, violent outburts are being watched around the globe. The day Lambert took the field in Provo was a sad, sad day for New Mexico.

Incidentally, those who think Lambert should not be prosecuted might ask whether they would feel differently if a stranger attacked them on the street as Lambert attacked those BYU players: a punch to the throat, repeated kicks to the body while you’re on the ground, a punch to the kidney. Society wouldn’t want that person prosecuted?

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I just saw a video on YouTube about this situation, posted on Nov. 6th…it has more than 1.2 million views.

It clearly shows Liz Lambert hitting one BYU player in the back for absolutely no apparent reason, and then yanking another BYU player to the ground by pulling her hair. I felt very angry while I was watching this, because Lambert has tainted not only the reputation of UNM Athletics but of the whole university. She should be expelled IMMEDIATELY not only from our women’s soccer team but also from our academic institution.

Shame on you, Elizabeth Lambert. What you put out in life will come back to haunt you, the karma truck will be parked outside your house from now on. Do not be fooled, God cannot be mocked…you shall reap what you sow.

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“Assault charges”? What a joke! Anyone who has played competitive sports (especially in a heated, close and important game) knows that things are going to get rough on occasion. Lambert responded to some rough play with her own version of the same. Did she take it to another level? Maybe to some extent – and a suspension is probably warranted. But come on people, what about the lack of reffing? What about a coach who OBVIOUSLY approves of (if not encourages) her rough play? Did Lambert just “suddenly” start to play this way? What is (or must have been for a while) going on in this particular league? Someone takes some video that ISOLATES one player and posts it on youtube and the whole world goes on a witch hunt for the “EVIL E.L.” Suspend her for a couple games next year and be done with it. Let her learn from it and grow. FIRE THE COACH! FIRE THE REF! And review the leagues policies on bad behavior – there is plenty of blame to go around.

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What a piece of shit she is. I would have kicked that bitch right in the cunt.

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Wow, what a lot of degenerate skells we have defending this fucking cunt and the ridiculous behavior she exhibited. This fucking bitch should be doing jail time. That will clean up the game. Oh, and fuck Mia Hamm too! Bitch!

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Reid Rothchild…Wow, did you write your post all by yourself? Must be hard with all the pain and blood from dragging your knuckles when you walk. (Ask someone smarter than you…anyone actually…to explain this post)

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Lambert was provoked on both occasions, and responded aggressively, but not entirely inappropriately. The suspension was inappropriate. The tape clearly shows her being elbowed in the chest by the first BYU player (#7) and the second BUY player (#21) pulling her shorts into her crotch. Try that anywhere to anyone and the victim’s reaction would be like Lambert’s. Were the BYU players suspended? The game is competative, watch the replay tape carefully, watch Pro Soccer, get over it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMAtxuCpsMU&feature=player_embedded#

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Don’t get me wrong… I loved this play. Watched it over and over… especially the shocking ponytail grab. Even laughed out loud. Lots. But the reality is if you try and support what she has done you are an idiot. I dont have that much of a problem with the forearm, or even the hard challenge from behind, but the ponytail grab could have snapped the girls neck. And the kick to the face… one person argued that she was just trying to clear the ball… i love that her clear was only kicked hard enough to go about 10 yards, but placed perfectly to catch the girl in the face. As far as criminal charges go for the pony tail thing, I think that is a bit much, but followign what is happening in other sports like hockey, if the girl had been seriously injured, this girl would have had a life time ban from the game and would definately be facing criminal charges…

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And those of you who blame the refs… remember this girl is an academic all american. You’ll notice that all of her shocking events (forearm to the back and the ponytail take down) were all done away from the play. She is bot stupid. Lacks character, but not stupid. All of the other events could be seen as just aggressive challenges (except the kick to the face which i believe is where she got her yellow card.)

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Soccer is supposed to be a game of skill using one’s feet or head, no hands, no brutality. My daughter has played soccer since she was 5 and when she reached her early teen I noticed players deliberately targetting my daughter and with encouragement from their coaches. I have had to rush her to the hospital numerous times with broken bones. I finally had enough and threatened the association and opposing teams with lawsuits if the aggression did not stop. That put a relative stop to the injuries, but the opposing players just got more sneaky about their attacks. Whether Elizabeth is well educated or not is irrelevant, she is a thug and should be banned by the Soccer Association.

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What a huge embarrassment for UNM. At the national level no less.

I’m truly amazed at the voices who defend this woman’s actions on the field. She was ruffed up so she had the right to yank someone down to the ground by her ponytail!? Tit for tat!?!? Sprtsmanship has been dying a slow death since I was a kid and it seems to be barely surviving these days. I hate to sound like an old ninny, but common courtesy, decency and respect for elders among the young really is going to pot. this shameful behavior is indicative of the decline of civilization. We’re doomed.

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Elizabeth Lambert is a junior at the University of New Mexico, and plays for their soccer team the Lobos originally from California (too bad for California). So, this loser knows they are going in to a game that they will most likely lose and since they do not have the talent to score they resort to this kind of play, it has very minor thought to it than let’s say passisng the ball through your opponents defense and scoring a goal.

The other issue is the where were the referees, were they all older white men with their tongues out, enamored and unable to call the game objectively (this game had so many penalties that did not get called), I mean what are they getting paid to do. Who has paid these guys off? Do we have to change the game where only women referees can call women games. After watching the video someone was paid off, that is my conclusion.

And Lizzy, watch you back and please stay out of soccer (you real should be banned, the game does not need people like you in it), so many will be gunning for you now. Who knows maybe you were just drumming up business for your “Occupational Therapy practice”, yah good luck with that, I doubt your bed side manner is any different from your sportsmanship.

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Leave the poor girl alone!
It is true that she played more than though but come on!
If there is any of you that ever played high level soccer and think that we should crucify her for what she did, then you are lying!!!!
All of you that played good soccer know that these things happen all the time, and even more… it happened to many many good players around the world!
You know nothing about soccer or about and even worse, you know nothing about WINNING in soccer… I hope all the comments that are written here dont reach the US national team.. because is they do… you will see how they get killed in the next world cup by teams who play hard and REAL!!!!
Leave her alone, she made a mistake, and THAT’S IT!!!!
here are some videos for all you stupid people who are talking shit about this girl and know nothing about soccer, and if you do, you are the losers!!!!
Youtube the following:
Chilavert escupitazo
Zidane Matterazzi

These 2 are were the best players in the world when they did what they did…
there are many more examples…

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Rich Latta:

I could not agree with you more. I too am amazed that anyone would defend this “athlete’s” behavior.

Yes, the other team was throwing elbows and pulling shorts. Yes, that happens in every soccer game. But all fouls are not equal. You cannot seriously compare an elbow to the chest or ribs (which might at worst cause a bruise) to a full punch in the kidneys, or, even worse, to pull someone’s hair and snap her head back – and hard enough to knock her down. Both of which could result in serious and permanent injuries.

Whiplash injuries are serious and cause permanent pain and disability. I know, because I have such an injury from a serious auto collision ten years ago. I cannot turn my head to the right as far as I can on the left. It hurts to look up longer than a few seconds. I lost some use of my left arm and I have chronic pain which I must take Rx for daily. Thoracic outlet syndrome and subluxation, look them up if you’ve never heard of these conditions. Let’s hope the BYU player was not seriously injured.

To those who say the downed BYU player was “faking” being hurt by Lambert – ridiculous. I have been watching professional men’s soccer for decades, before it was popular in the U.S., since public tv aired a show called “Soccer made in Germany” when I was an undergraduate. That was back in the late 1970s … and I can tell you such a serious foul would result in a red card everytime. I know when a player is just “flopping” for the ref; that was no flop.

Yes, the referee did a poor job officiating by missing those fouls, and the coach should not have allowed it – but the ultimate responsibility lies with this young “lady.”

Oh, so she is an award-winning scholar-athlete? Please. You can’t be serious that this excuses what she did. If anything, she then should have known better.

Finally, her “apology” was no such thing. What did she say in her statement – “It is not indicative of my character.” Bull. You wear you character and carry your values with you everyday. O.K., BYU was giving the Lobos a hard time and winning: the way you responded to the challenges and stress showed your true character, Ms. Lambert.

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With Global Warming, Terrorism, Equal Rights, Water Rationing, Melting Polar Caps, Tigers escaping from their pens, street gangs:

I want Elizabeth Lambert’s eggs. She has DNA that will keep USA on top.

USA! USA! USA!

that hairpulling was no big deal? the guiness book has hair pulling locamotives, and the girl was a theatre major. Look at her legs fly up in the air just like the English Premier League all theatrics. She could have just kneeled down if she wanted. But noooo Legs up in the air … boo hooo on the ground. she pulled on EL’s crotch … that is a sexual assault which is more grievous than a little hair pulling.

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Lambert is at fault people. Why do some of you continually try to blame others for Lambert’s actions. That is how thugs become thugs. Everyone continues to excuse their behavior ‘til we see what we have here. There were at least 6 seriously dangerous attacks by Lambert including the multiple hits to the head on the far side of the feild.

And as far as the minor shorts tug before the hair pull… Look at the video closely. Lambert ALREADY is grabbing the BYU player’s hair BEFORE the shorts tug. I reviewed the video several times and put it on pause to verify. Lambert grabs her hair first and his HOLDING it so the BYU player appears to be tugging the shorts of Lambert to warn her to stop and then Lambert just goes bolistic! Lambert STARTED it and continued to assault BYU players throughout the game.

Those of you who excuse Lambert are pathetic and you are the type of people who allow behavior like that continue! I’d like to see you play against Lambert and see if you are so understanding of her brutish behavior.

Lambert lacks basic soccer skills so she has to resort to that kind of crap we saw from her.

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First of all I’ve played soccer for many years, it is a contact sport and no matter if you play H.S. or college being tough is one thing being a thug at the game is another, the best way to get back at your opponent in any given game is to out play them, but to actually have the nerve to aggravate a player directly has no excuse, there are times when playing any sports emotions take over, Ive seen people break golf clubs because they missed a put, but yet my reaction to those people is that they are idiots for getting mad for their lack of skills.

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Hair Pulling? She pulled so hard she yanked that poor girl back and down. Could have broke her neck. Is that part of the game? They need to get rid of lambert. That girl is mental!

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