Vic | 9:19 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
It seems to be a denigration in sportsmanship across all of athletics. From the football players celebrating after every hit, the taunting that goes on every basketball game, and the unruly fan behavior, it appears that even women's soccer is not immune.

Not only did she cross the line of sportsmanship, but a few of those kicks and without question the hair pull looked like criminal assault to me. I think kicking her off the team should be the beginning, and hope she receives worse (including a review form the local prosecutor). Make an example of her and hope that some class comes back to the sport and college athletics.
Anonymous | 10:08 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
lambert makes me sick.
No Charges? | 1:04 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Why is this woman not being prosecuted? She used force with clear intent to inflict bodily injury.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 4:48 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
This video went viral pretty fast. Over a million views in a couple days... The internet is crazy.
joe | 5:09 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Ok, granted what she did was way out of line, but I think the league should review everyone of the New Mexico games that she played in and see if there is a pattern to her unsportsmanship play. If they find out that she did this in other games then she should be finished playing soccer.
Now, if there is no other type of dirty play in past games, you might give her a little room, and I say a little room for being caught up in the heat of the battle. She lost control because of many things and the fact she wanted to WIN.
I do not condone what she did, it was dirty play, find out how she played during the season before we all throw stones at her.
Sometimes winning at all cost is just not worth it.
pathetic | 6:24 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
I hope the refs are investigated. I don't know which was more pathetic, Lambert or the fact she was booted out of the game earlier. A referee is not only supposed to officiate, they are also there to protect. They failed miserably and should be "suspeneded indefinitely" also, of course after they offer a sincere apology too.
WOW | 6:35 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Wow! That's all I can say. I've seen a lot of soccer but I have never seen hair pulling like that. That's not even allowed in MMA.

That said, she apologized and I'm going to take her at her word for it. Hope she learns from this and becomes a better person for it.
Anonymous | 6:42 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
This would get people to watch soccer, at least it was exciting
Laurels | 7:01 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
A few thoughts regarding Elizabeth Lambert...

Lambert has issued an apology and been given an indefinite suspension from the UNM soccer team. However, a few other people who share culpability in what happened, have yet to apologize or receive any punishment.

The UNM coaching staff condoned what she was doing by keeping her on the field. Is the UNM coaching staff going to apologize and be punished for their behavior?

Additionally, two yellow cards or one straight red card would have removed her from the game and ended her dangerous play. Is the MWC reviewing the job the refs did? Will they receive punishment for allowing this type of dangerous play to continue?

Lambert is 20 or 21 years old. Old enough to know she did wrong, but still awfully young to be the nation's whipping girl. Her actions were dangerous, but her suspension is nothing compared to the condemnation that is being heaped on her from across the country. She is infamous, her name now being associated with Dennis Rodman and Jack Tatum.

Perhaps she shouldn't be allowed to play soccer anymore, but shouldn't she be given the chance to learn from her mistakes?
SimonSays | 7:28 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
It was disgraceful. Hope that the ref and the 2 linesman get suspended as well. Their total incompetence should be rewarded with a fine and a suspension. Shame on Lambert and the officials.
absolutely | 7:47 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
This "thing" doesn't belong on the soccer field. Neither does her coach nor the hapless, helpless, clueless officials that let this go on game long. After a lifetime of coaching and watching the game, this is so appalling to the sport. Her sorry is only that she got "caught" - suspended from and already over season. Take here scholarship away, and see that she never plays collegiate sports again - would be more fitting, and would send a strong message to other players AND coaches AND officials. She's no more contrite now than she was during the game-long shameless performance.
Joe | 7:50 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
She was clearly provoked. Maybe if the first girl didn't hit an elbow in her stomach, she wouldn't have punched her in the back. And maybe if the other girl didn't try to grab her shorts, she wouldn't have pulled her hair. BTW, the second foul looks awfully lot like a dive to me.
Oh don't be  | 7:59 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
so reactionary. Yeah, she went overboard, but this stuff happens all the time. "Lambert makes me sick," "Looked like criminal assault to me," blah blah blah. A night in the paint at an NBA game, three periods in the slot at a hockey game, down in the pits at any footballl game - this stuff goes on all the time. Yeah she went overboard, but relax about it; she apologized and there will be more highlights like these to watch soon. It's what makes sports exciting around here.

Or would you rather watch the Jazz?
Lambert | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Of course the first volley in this little battle was the elbow thrown from the byu player to Lambert. But I'm sure she's a little angel so it's all Lambert's fault, right?
Hypocritical | 8:42 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Seems a little hypocritical that the coach who let this go on for an entire game turns around and suspends her. Seems like the institution behind the mayhem should bear some responsibility.
What is also disturbing | 8:44 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Is that the media keeps showing this segment over and over and that this is the first time many media outlets have covered women's soccer. The D-News covers women's sports, but the tv outlets had probably not even mentioned women's soccer before that segment, and now they're all happy to keep showing this clip.

Two wrongs still don't make a right--women's soccer is a physical sport, but Lambert is an embarrassment. Now, go out and show the Utah-BYU women's soccer match or another one that has solid and exciting play, rather than only showing the dirty play.
matt | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
LizLam rocks!
Hey Joe! | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
It doesn't matter what she did in other games! She acted criminally in THIS game. Get it? She should be charged with assault and battery.
Anonymous | 10:49 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
It was awesome.
California BYU Fan | 11:09 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Hopefully this doen't become a Federal Case. As brutal as it was I believe the national attention she received is punishment enough. The negative reation to her infamous assaults should be sufficient notice to others not to follow her method of playing the sport.

After a short suspension I'm for letting her back into the sport and moving on.

It is unfortunate that the UNM coaches or the game officials did not take appropriate action. They certainly share the blame.

Her appology should be accepted and hopefully the two teams will return to the field as good cometitors without aniosity to play many more exciting matches. The cougars should reach out and accept her appology.

Go cougars in NCAA play.


Anonymous | 11:14 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
More prove that sports don't bring out the best in youth or anyone else. Just read the comments people write after BYU loses a football game. This could have been worst just ask Nancy Kerrigan.
#7 | 11:42 a.m. Nov. 8, 2009
From BYU appears to be the agresser in this video. The elbow then the taunting after the game. The end shows #7 in Lamberts face and Lambert refrained. It looks to me that #7 from BYU had it coming and probrably much more.

I call for a vote to have #7 suspended as well.
Randy Hollis: YOU'RE DEAD WRONG  | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Elizabeth Lambert defended herself against an unethical athlete. Kassidy Shumway is the same one who gave Lauren Porter a concussion and shoved Lala Hair on the grass. I have no sympathy for her.

Elizabeth Lambert is a hero.
Watch the Video | 12:10 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Those who think the BYU player initiated the Lambert violence by "throwing" an elbow haven't watched the entire video. The elbow to Lambert was in response to Lambert's pushing into the back and knees of the BYU player. The elbow by the BYU player in response Lambert's aggressive move was not even "thrown" but simply a push back to let Lambert know she wasn't going to be able to move the BYU player out of position without a fight. Lambert immediately escalates the whole exchange by throwing an elbow into the back of the BYU player.
RE: #7 | 12:19 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Go away troll. There is a difference between aggressive play and illegal behavior.
Anonymous | 12:25 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
So it's soccer's version of Nancy and Tonya...best thing to happen to the sport. Soccer players are all abunch of spoiled brats so I think it's funny.
John | 12:31 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Liz Lambert you ROCK!!!!.... Liz Lambert for President!!!!.... We Love You Liz.
Anonymous | 12:53 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
I love all the justification for Ms. Lambert's play...the BYU player deserved it...the BYU player started it...nobody said they were perfect or that they didn't play aggressively...however when Julie Foudy calls Lambert's play "over the line" I'll take her assessment over any of the pseudo-analysts posting here. And if you don't know who Julie Foudy is I can assure you she has spent more time in cleats than any self-proclaimed expert on this board...
Dear Joe and #7 | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
What planet are you on? Certainly not this one The elbow was a "little" sign to keep off my back, but the hit in the back was a vicious blow During a match there is a lot of pushing and shoving and elbowing. Pulling down by the hairwas now flop, if you think so you are clueless. Then the other team kicking the ball into the face is gutless, spineless soccer. Coach should be suspended also. The referees should also be suspended.

Is the football coach her uncle?
Uncle George | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
This incident is on the New Mexico coach and the lame officials. All should be suspended.
re: Hollis is dead wrong | 2:39 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Okay let's say the BYU player is unethical...Lambert's brutal play wasn't limited to just Shumway...she went after any BYU player that came near her. Sorry she wasn't "defending" herself at all she was only out to do damage pure and simple...
PI Lawyer | 2:39 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
OK. I'm involved in lots of watching and coaching women's soccer at the top club levels. You play aggressively there. One of my daughters is an excellent goalie and by one team or two a year she has been beat up somewhat dangerously. However, let's get this. Several of the things Lambert did were disastrously dangerous. She'd getting a bit of a chastening right now, but figure it out. If you take a player who has her back to you and grab her hair and yank her down viciously with all the strength you can muster, you are very, very lucky not to have paralyzed or killed that player. End of discussion. I'm surprised no soft tissue injury on other player at this point. This was far more dangerous than a face mask penalty or a horse collar tackle. Get it. This was reckless disregard for someone else's future and life.
Jack Tatum | 4:11 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Hollis that was not a dirty hit on Stingley. It was well within the rules such as they were then. It had a very tragic outcome but it was a clean hit. Tatum was a very hard hitter who punished opposing players. All within the rules. Any NFL team from that era would have taken Tatum on their team in a heartbeat. Don't put him in the same category as those thugs you listed.
Doctor Bob | 4:21 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Lambert's play was inexcusable. She should never play another college game again. But her coaches should also be sanctioned, as well as the referees who let her get away with that behavior. Did they forget to pack their red cards? And as a coach, if I have an out-of-control player, I'm going to pull him every time, no matter what the cost.
I'm with | 6:18 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Uncle George. Refs and coaches have to take the blame on this one.

I've lost it on the field more than once. Kicked out of the game without a question. Coach stopped me from making a bigger fool of myself.

Where are the adults when you need them?

Get Ms. Lambert some anger management, and get her back on the field. Let's hope she gets better help in the future from those who should have stopped it long before it got out of control.
david | 6:54 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
While I have not played organized soccer, I have played basketball. Everything Elizabeth Lambert received; the elbow and the shorts, is not unusual in basketball, Lambert's retaliation, is not usual in basketball or in soccer. The reason it is not seen is because anyone doing so would be immediatley tossed from the game, suspended from the team, and possibly face assault charges.
Lambert's actions were those of a thug. To think that suddenly this is the first time she has ever played in this manner is to stretch credulity beyond belief. There was enough of a pattern demonstrated to fairly say that Elizabeth's true character was dispalyed. Now it's up to her to decide if that is the character she wants to be known by and if it is not to make the appropriate changes.
the UNM coach | 9:15 p.m. Nov. 8, 2009
Fool me once - Shame on you
Fool me twice - Shame on me
Fool me three times - KICK the COACH AND PLAYER out of the game!! What A black eye to the league, and that BYU player that got girl slapped!!!
soccer guy | 3:30 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Re: PI Lawyer

Name one case where somebody has died from a tug on the pony-tail, or even died playing soccer for that manner. I'm just not seeing it.
Ed in Atl | 12:09 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
It was on the Today Show this morning with comments young soccer girls.
B. DeMoss | 1:04 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Did anyone bother to actually watch the whole game? Did anyone see every interaction between every player? It's easy to criticize from the armchair while watching YouTube. UNM took the action they deemed necessary and I suspect BYU will take action it deems necessary. BYU is not exactly known as the "bad boys" (or girls in this case) in sports. Last I checked, the BYU suits in Provo (AND Salt Lake) agressively frown on events that make them look bad -- let alone violent. Let's get on with our lives and leave these ladies (well, at least some of them are ladies) alone.
re: Hollis You're dead wrong | 2:03 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Are you referring to the same LaLa Hair who "flops" anytime someone breathes on her? The same one who is now getting yellow cards for "diving"? Thought so.
Re: Soccer Guy | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Umm, have you ever heard of whiplash? Or how about paralysis? For how hard that girl's head was yanked to the ground she could have easily fractured a verterbra or injured her spinal cord.
How that Lambert girl could stay in the game after that is completely beyond me.
People can make excuses all they want, "she's only 20 or 21", "somebody elbowed her first", I don't care, she's an adult. She knows the consequences of her actions.

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