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BYU soccer: Y. wins rough-and-tumble tussle
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BYU Soccer Fan | 11:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009
New Mexico's #15 was out of control and either New Mexico or the MWC needs
to discipline here. On another note, any news on the severity of the ankle
injury to Jessica Ringwood?
espn coverage. | 12:46 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The game has mad national news headlines on espn.
Comments continue below
BYU Fan | 12:53 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I am a BYU fan but you obviously missed the elbow thrown by the BYU player that
prompted the hit to the back. It was retaliation but BYU's player got what
she deserved.
ESPN aired the rough play | 12:59 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The MWC will have no choice but to come down on players for the amazing,
intentional attempts to hurt players. Without the mtn. taping the game she might
have got away with it. ESPN shows and comments on it? NO chance now.
Oh wow! I just saw it on ESPN | 3:38 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
ESPN has it on the main page. I could not believe what I saw done by the NM
players. The video didn't show any cheap-shots by the BYU players so we
don't know if there was nothing done by them, or if the video was biased.
Nevertheless, unsportsmanlike to say the LEAST. Wow. Some serious consequences
need to come from that and not just a talking to. It would be a hate crime if
done off the field.
Joe | 4:00 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Oh please 'BYU Fan' she nudged her and the girl reeled back and
punched her. And that was only one of about ten incidences. Don't be a
fool.
Anonymous | 5:50 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
re BYU Fan--The elbow was used when bodying up and backing up; similar to what
you see in basketball games to get position when posting up on a player. that is
all rough play in the normal couse of a physical game. But to repeatedly use
your closed fist to punch someone in the back (I saw this happen at least 4x in
the second half and it may have happened more but I didn't start paying
close attention until I saw it happen a couple times)is completely outside the
rough play you expect in a high stakes game. And the throwdown by the
ponytail...WOW... I was speechless when it happened, and seeing replayed this
morning on espn and fox news the MWC has no choice now but to step in and
discipline the player, the coach and the team. This is very quickly becoming a
high profile story on many networks. Harsh punishment will no doubt meted out
quickly.
Also a BYU Fan | 6:36 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Of course the BYU players were jawing too, it always happens in soccer. But
nothing came close to what #15 did. She should be suspended for games next
season and the ref in that game needs to be fired.
WOW | 6:52 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Wow, I just checked out the video on ESPN (well done on their part - full
coverage and analysis). What an embarrassment for this girl, the school and the
coach. She is completely singled out for her despicable behavior. What an
embarrassment. You know it has to be bad for ESPN to pick up on it for a
college women's soccer conference semi-final. Take a look, there is a lot
more than just 1 incident.
The Voice of Reason | 7:57 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The 'BYU Fan' is obviously not a soocer fan. You are allowed to
jockey for position (what the BYU player wa doing). You are not allowed to wind
up and throw a punch. She went all night too. ESPN had about tree minutes of
footage and you know they didn't catch all she did on camera. The
MTN's article says nothing about the rogue player. I hope they address
this.
elbowing to | 7:59 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
get position is part of the game (and it was a pretty soft little elbow). I
played in college I know, but punching someone then grabbing another player by
her ponytail and throwing her to the ground -- these plays are over the line.
Plus how many fouls (hard fouls I might add) did this same player commit. She
also is on film throwing another punch while she is committing another foul.
This girl needs to be suspended from conference games next season.
real salt lake guy | 8:06 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I was watching espn last night and saw that byu girl get ripped down by her
ponytail. Haha what a joke! that girl deserves to be suspended indefinitely.
Black eye for soccer | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
If serious action isn't taken against New Mexico's Elizabeth Lambert
for what she did it will be a black mark on the game.Why would I want my
daughter to play a sport where that type of brutal play is allowed?
Let's stop it now!
Let's stop it now!
tyrone | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I saw clips on ESPN and Fox News this morning and couldn't believe what I
was watching. This girl (Lambert) has some real problems--bad home life or
something, but she needs to be in therapy not on a soccer field. I've
played soccer, it's a rough game, but that was just crazy.
Hippo | 8:24 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I agree with a suspension of #15 next season and there needs to be a public
apology from UNM to the girls on BYU. But also the MWC needs to address the
missed calls and the refs that let the game get out of hand. A dirty player
will do whatever they can get away with and the refs need to take some of the
blame.
Ohmigosh... | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I, too, just watched the ESPN clip. Unbelievable! #15 should be sanctioned.
What a thug!
I googled University of New Mexico's Office of the President for a contact number and called the President of the University to make sure he knew UNM was being featured across the nation on ESPN in this light.
The individual who fielded the telephone call indicated they had received MANY phone calls this morning about the ESPN footage, and callers had expressed outrage and concern about the out-of-control play of #15, Elizabeth Lambert. I guess we'll see if any action is taken by the university to punish this player and her coach.
I googled University of New Mexico's Office of the President for a contact number and called the President of the University to make sure he knew UNM was being featured across the nation on ESPN in this light.
The individual who fielded the telephone call indicated they had received MANY phone calls this morning about the ESPN footage, and callers had expressed outrage and concern about the out-of-control play of #15, Elizabeth Lambert. I guess we'll see if any action is taken by the university to punish this player and her coach.
Respect | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I have a new-found respect for the women on our soccer team. This is absolutely
deplorable behavior by UNM. I'm writing a letter to MWC Commissioner Craig
Thomson tonight. I hope others will join me and express their outrage at an
utter lack of sportsmanship by UNM. Did their football coach teach them those
tricks?
MWC should step in. | 8:48 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Soccer can get pretty physical, but this was just dirty. This is a huge black
eye for the MWC as it's now making national headlines on ESPN and Fox News.
I don't know that New Mexico will make the NCAA tournament so this was
probably their last game, but even if this #15 is a soph or jr. she should be
suspended for next season or just kicked off the team altogether. Throwing
elbows is one thing, but throwing punches and yanking another girl to the ground
by her hair should be grounds for some action by the school or the conference.
Anonymous | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Un-Believable! Considering the beating that the BYU players were taking they
showed amazing composure. MWC should take disciplinary action on #15.
officiating? | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Even worse than the play of #15 was the incompetent officiating.How can you miss
ALL of those fouls?? I have been involved in soccer for some years and something
has to be done about the terrible officiating,it's at all levels.
re:Hippo | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
You sound like a football fan. Soccer is officiated very differently with one
official and two sideline people. Before you criticize officials you need to go
officiate yourself so maybe you can gain some respect for the difficult job.
Football is not soccer.
Picture #7 | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Perfectly demonstrates Lambert's approach to the game
@ Respect & Ohmigosh | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Thanks for the suggestions to contact UNM and MWC officials about #15 and the
officials. I contacted them. They both said they have seen the ESPN video, are
aware of the situation, and are determining what actions to take.
ron | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
hey, joe, don't be deceived by byu fan. really ute fan.
New sport | 10:10 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Looks just like hockey to me.
re:re:Hippo | 10:29 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I've coached and officiated high school soccer for over ten years. I see
nothing inappropriate or inaccurate in Hippo's comments. It is the
referee's number one responsibility to ensure the safety of the players.
This was not being done.
Rexlaw5 | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
As a soccer official, I can only say there are 4 officials at a match of this
magnitude. How no one reacted to these fouls with plastic is unbelievable. Most
fouls like these that are committed off play are seen by coaches or other
players and brought to the attention of the 4th official. Was he or she not
communicating with the Center official? I'm sure NISOA will have a thing or
two to say to the officiating crew. And I can't wait to see how this is
handled in my next training session.
from a ref and player's view | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I have officiated for a long time. I think it really helps to have also played
so that you understand what is in the flow of the game and what is intentional.
Too many refs come as specators and then call the game. You need to watch the
game in a totally different light as a ref. Many fans want too much or too
little called. I understand missing the ponytail away from the play but all the
others shown in the clip are on or near the ball and should then cause lines men
and the center officail to be on teh look out for player safety. That is one of
tehir responsibilities. The ref should have taken care of things. If you
watch the rest of the game there is actualy much more happening. These were
just the "high" lowlights of #15's game.
Don King | 11:51 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
It appears UNM needs to have some anger management training with their athletic
department. First Locksley, now "Hacksaw" Lambert... just waiting for
a basketbrawl this winter!
JF | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I do not condone #15's actions in anyway, but the real villain are the
officials. Tehir incompetent, amateurish officiating not only brought
embarrassment to the player, the UNM and the MWC, but they also endangered other
player's physical well-being.
If they had controlled the game like they were supposed to do, this young lady would have been sent off the pitch and the nation would not be commenting on this. Well done officials - you brought this on yourselves! No excuse...
If they had controlled the game like they were supposed to do, this young lady would have been sent off the pitch and the nation would not be commenting on this. Well done officials - you brought this on yourselves! No excuse...
Milt | 11:57 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Looking forward to the final at noon Saturday. Go Cougars.
Soccer Fan | 12:57 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I think we are missing and important point most of the action was right in front
of the NM bench. Where were the coaches in this? They were yelling the whole
second half "you need to get more physical". They need to be
disciplined as well.
swe | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Sounds like the coaches are more concerned about winning than anything else.
Sounds like the ref(s) is as useful as the NBA types.
Sounds like the ref(s) is as useful as the NBA types.
Ya Buddy | 1:12 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The coach has just suspended Lambert indefinetly. Now the University should
look into the coach. Any coach that lets their players get to that level of
cheap shots and not remove them from the game is a poor coach that does not
understand the purpose of college athletics.
Very Sad | 1:25 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
As a mother of 2 girls who play soccer I am appauled by the events of this
game. I teach my children to play fair and within the rules of the game and
while my kids have been fouled while playing soccer, only one time has it been
dirty like this. That was when another child purposely elbowed to the face.
The referees should have made the calls to protect the other players. I can
only hope my daughters never encounter a player as dirty as #15.
Ernest T. Bass | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I want to be reincarnated as that soccer ball in my next life.
acting | 1:38 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Maybe the UNM player was a little too aggressive, but that was pretty good
acting by the BYU player, falling face first to the ground trying to get a call.
I don't think the New Mexico player is strong enought to throw somebody
down to the ground by simply pulling on their poney-tail.
It looked worse than it really was.
It looked worse than it really was.
Worse than Italian Football | 1:59 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The referees must take the blame as well. I can see (in my opinion) at least 3
straight reds in the highlight reel. No player has ever committed so many bad
fouls in a game because no player has ever been allowed to stay on after such
harsh fouls. Send her off and this goes away. Referees should not be afraid to
send a player off. If you don't, this is what you get. What a terrible job.
Play up Cougars!
Play up Cougars!
To Ernest T. Bass | 2:31 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
You'd get more face time if you came back as #15's fist.
UNM fun | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I heard that #15 was dating the UNM football coach. Coincidence?
Positioning? | 3:03 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Now we're talking degrees of dirty play. With the positioning and flopping
going on in all of soccer I am steadily loosing interest. The last time someone
grabbed my shorts to keep me in check was in church ball, I didn't bust him
in the mouth but I did tell him if he kept it up I would.
Spectator | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Quite frankly what #15 did on several shots would constitute criminal assualt
charges if she wasn't on the field. Just as others pointed out some of the
worst offenses were committed on dead balls, after the end of plays or when she
was nowhere near the ball that was in play. If you or I would have done any of
these things we would be facing criminal charges. I don't care about being
in the heat of the moment in a sporting event,; #15 is a thug and demonstrates
criminal behavior and nothing else.
Lambert Quote on Character | 3:47 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
Lambert said. "This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer
player that I am."
I think her actions spoke volumes about her character. She can't hide behind this.
What is wrong at New Mexico right now? The football coach? The women's soccer team? In my book this is just as bad as LaGarrette Blount's punch. Maybe worse. I understand that the BYU players weren't exactly playing the cleanest game, but to punch close fisted in the back, to kick a ball into a girl's head, to punch another girl in the face while going after a ball, and then to snap a player's neck down like that deserves severe penalties on the player, the school, and most of all, the referees for letting this game get so far out of hand.
I think her actions spoke volumes about her character. She can't hide behind this.
What is wrong at New Mexico right now? The football coach? The women's soccer team? In my book this is just as bad as LaGarrette Blount's punch. Maybe worse. I understand that the BYU players weren't exactly playing the cleanest game, but to punch close fisted in the back, to kick a ball into a girl's head, to punch another girl in the face while going after a ball, and then to snap a player's neck down like that deserves severe penalties on the player, the school, and most of all, the referees for letting this game get so far out of hand.
Referees should be suspended | 3:49 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
The referees should be suspended for letting this game get out of control.
Brutal Truth | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
When will the MWC or the referee's association come out and denounce the
job (or lack there of) done by the game official? Clearly there were flagrant
fouls that Lambert was guilty of for which she only received a caution.
When will BYU's athletic department issue suspensions for the players who initiated contact and instigated the reaction from Lambert? The Cougar players clearly intended to get a reaction from Lambert by fouling her (elbow, pulling shorts/leg) on dead ball plays and in jostling for position away from the ball!
Lambert was wrong for such a harsh reaction but more wrong than BYU players for initiating???
UNM has done the right thing, I am waiting to see if the MWC and BYU do likewise!
When will BYU's athletic department issue suspensions for the players who initiated contact and instigated the reaction from Lambert? The Cougar players clearly intended to get a reaction from Lambert by fouling her (elbow, pulling shorts/leg) on dead ball plays and in jostling for position away from the ball!
Lambert was wrong for such a harsh reaction but more wrong than BYU players for initiating???
UNM has done the right thing, I am waiting to see if the MWC and BYU do likewise!
Doon | 4:53 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
To any of you fools who say she got what she deserved for the elbow... maybe the
immediate push in the back... but that girl went on a rampage, and was cheap
shotting more than just the girl who threw the elbow. I hope I run into you
and you push me, so I can spend the next hour pummeling you and you feel it is
even.
wilson | 5:43 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I too would place most of the blame on the refs, but i would really like to
commend BYU's composure in this game. They took the opponents'
actions in stride and just remembered to play soccer. Sometimes in life people
will do things which we don't agree with, but we just have to continue with
what we are doing.
Brutal Truth | 6:13 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
I too agree with Respect and Ohmigosh!
Look up and call the MWC Commissioner and the BYU President to call for discplinary action for the remaining parties involved.
The game officials were guilty of not responsibly enforcing the game rules and thereby let the game get out of hand to the point of violent conduct and flagrant fouls!
The BYU players Payne & Shumway initiated contact with UNM player and should also be suspended or at the very least reprimanded and issue an apology.
To the UNM player Lambert, "Character" prevents actions that you displayed last night.
And that is the Brutal Truth!
Look up and call the MWC Commissioner and the BYU President to call for discplinary action for the remaining parties involved.
The game officials were guilty of not responsibly enforcing the game rules and thereby let the game get out of hand to the point of violent conduct and flagrant fouls!
The BYU players Payne & Shumway initiated contact with UNM player and should also be suspended or at the very least reprimanded and issue an apology.
To the UNM player Lambert, "Character" prevents actions that you displayed last night.
And that is the Brutal Truth!
Anonymous | 6:14 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009
This is to Acting. Please grow a ponytail and then let me yank you to the
ground as number 15 did. I am 72 years old and even if you are 250 lbs. and in
your prime I will assure you I can easily yank you down when you are unexpecting
it. Why don't you just act like you are a complete idiot; oh, wait, that
would not be acting.
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--Grabbing the pony tail of a BYU forward from behind and viciously yanking the player's head back, hard enough to pull her feet out from under her and put her flat on the ground. This was done on a dead ball, with the two players not anywhere near the ball.
--Slugging a BYU player from behind in the back, again done on a dead ball, with the two players not anywhere near the ball.
Unfortunately, the referee didn't see either assault. Please note I used the word "assault." That's what it was.
I am not a BYU fan. I was merely watching the 10:00 o'clock news. I am a soccer enthusiast and love the game.
I hope that the coach of New Mexico's women's soccer team, Kit Vela, has a talk with Ms. Lambert before she purposefully breaks a rib or paralyzes another player by jerking her head back like that.