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Elizabeth Lambert has been suspended from the New Mexico women's soccer program after a stunning series of cheap shots in a game against BYU. In the match, Lambert punched a BYU player in the back, threw a few quick punches at a player's head, and also executed a dangerous slide tackle on defense.
But the play that garnered the most attention was when Lambert grabbed an opposing BYU player's ponytail while behind her, and violently threw her to the ground by her hair.
In response to Lambert's rough play, University of New Mexico head women's soccer coach Kit Vela announced that Lambert, a junior defender, has been suspended indefinitely and prohibited from participating in practices, games and team workouts. In a statement released by the school, Lambert offered the following apology:
"I am deeply and wholeheartedly regretful for my actions. My actions were uncalled for. I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation. I take full responsibility for my actions and accept any punishment felt necessary from the coaching staff and UNM administration. This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer player that I am. I am sorry to my coaches and teammates for any and all damages I have brought upon them. I am especially sorry to BYU and the BYU women's soccer players that were personally affected by my actions. I have the utmost respect for the BYU women's soccer program and its players."Vela referred to Lambert as "a quality student-athlete," but added that the suspension was necessary because "her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship."
UNM Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs also weighed in on the situation, saying: "Liz's conduct on the field against BYU was completely inappropriate. There is no way to defend her actions."
Lambert's cheap shots took place in a Mountain West Conference Tournament game that BYU won, 1-0. The game was televised, and Lambert's highlights (or lowlights) were shown on SportsCenter and went viral on YouTube.
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Comments (Page 1 of 66)
Kit Vela should also be held responsible. Why was Lambert allowed to play for as long as she did. Why wasn't she removed from the game? That was a horrible move on Vela's part.
Lambert should stay away from all social activities. She clearly has no self control. It's more than obvious in that 1:22sec clip.
without her coach's and team's support she could not have continued this attack for so long as she did. now they throw her under the bus. great team and coach.
What were the refs looking at to miss so many cheap shots? She should have been tossed with a red.
send letter to coach kvela@unm.edu
As a fellow soccer coach, I have to defend coach Vela. There is a fair chance that Vela did not see all of Lambert's actions. On a field that size, a coach can only see part of it.
The suspension is about all the coach can do at this point. Anything further would need to come from the NCAA or the New Mexica Athletic Director. Hopefully, one of those two entities will take further action.
I was really upset when I watched this video over the weekend, Lambert was just nasty. If you've ever played on a college level field or been to a live soccer game then you know the field is vast and there is a lot going on. I suspect that Lambert just didn't get caught at the time (though I'm sure someone-- maybe teammates and/or the coach-- saw her).
I think BYU is a Morman school. I was really touched by their grace and I was hoping there would be consequences for "that trashy girl". Lambert is just lucky she wasn't playing a girl from Compton. I'm just saying...
That girl deserves what she is getting...she should no longer be allowed to play any sports. She is bad example for other kids....I'm absolutely disgusted by that video...what kind of parents raise a child like that??? What a poor sport she is-perfect example and that is what i told my children when they watched the video!!!
I agree completely. The happened because the coach allowed it to happen. My guess is this isn't the first time either. Coach Vela should be fired and the athlete should be banned from playing soccer by the NCAA.
Not to defend violence but if you look at the hair pull video the other girl has her hand on Lamberts shorts & is pulling them up (weggie) before Lambert retaliates......& the girl that she punched is the one who elbowed her first.......maybe they should look at ALL the game video..............
the coach obviously either did not see it happening until she watched the video of the game, or she couldnt do anything about it at the exact moments it was happening...the ref did not see the punch in the back or the pony tail incident (otherwise she would have been red-carded)..what was the coach supposed to do? stop the game and say, hey, my girl just did something that deserves a red card, could you give her one please? theres no way you can possibly blame this on the coach.
Not saying lambert was not wrong with what she did, I do not play soccer nor understand the game, however, did anyone really look at the tape? Why did the BYU babe that was pulled down by her ponytail have a hold of Lambert's shorts and riding them up her leg before lambert threw her to the ground? Just curious. and is it okay to elbow someone like the BYU member did to Lambert before lambert punched her? Again, not saying Lambert was right with what she did - in fact she was in the wrong, but were the other players within legal limits of what and how the game is played?
I'm reasonably sure the coach knows what kind of a girl she has in Lambert (cheating, do anything to win mentality) but the coach can't possibly see everything that is going on during a game. From the looks of the video clip I saw, I saw plenty of Lamberts "character" to see she shouldn't be playing any organized sports. Is she related to the Bears lineman or Brandon Spikes?
Perhaps an arrest for assault is in order?
She doesnt need to be suspended from the team she needs to be kicked off of the team and if she has a scholarship the school should take it away from her. i have been involved of my fair share of "getting my emotions involved in the game" and i have never done anything like that. she did those things out of pure hate and of being a sore loser (i'm sure).
Edith Lambert is a fine example of the All-American sportsmanship our culture has developed. She epitomizes the success of Title IX. Women in college athletics have the same right to commit violence on the playing field as do their male classmates!!! She should be lauded and rewarded for smashing through another glass ceiling and exposing the utter hypocrisy expressed by so many on this web site. You go girl! Smash mouth athletics for all!
girls shouldn't play football.
I could not agree with you more! There is no telling how long this player has been allowed to get away with these types of violations. As in so many other instances, the coaches turn a blind eye when it is a player that "helps the team win". The Coach definitely means to be FIRED!
wow this girl is crazy. how can u think u can do that in a soccer game. red for sure
Disgusting. There is no way that her coach can claim he or she had no idea that this girl was an animal. The coach should be suspended also and the girl player disqualified the rest of the season and at least be required to attend anger management classes. She assaulted several players and she should be thankful she is not sued or criminal complaints made against her.
suspension is not going to work unless its for the whole year. treat these girls like u would guys