Lambert is a Disgrace to the Beautiful Game

The University of New Mexico Womens' Soccer Team has gotten national attention, but unlike programs like North Carolina, Florida and the University of Portland, the Lady Lobos have gotten the wrong kind of attention thanks to one of their players, Elizabeth Lambert.

Lambert gained national attention for her dirty play against Brigham Young when she yanked down a player from behind by the player's pony tail. A video of the incident was sent to several new outlets including the New York Times. As a result of her flagrant behavior, Lambert has been suspended indefinitely from the New Mexico Womens' team. "I still deeply regret it and will always regret it and will carry it through the rest of my life not to retaliate,” said Lambert.

The pony tail yanking incident wasn't the only thing Lambert was guilty of during the BYU match in which the Lady Lobos lost 2-1. She elbowed a player in the back and received a yellow card for tripping. She also appeared to throw a punch at an opponent's head. When she saw the video, she said that she couldn't believe that it was really her. "I look at it and I’m like, ‘That is not me,’ ” said Lambert, a defender and an all-conference academic player. “I have so much regret. I can’t believe I did that.”

Really, Elizabeth? That's not you? I agree with one writer when he said that if it was just an isolated incident, that statement may be true. However, there were several incidents of foul play on the part of Lambert. Yes, Elizabeth, it is you, and you need to own up to it and admit it. However, that's not the worst of what she said. In an interview with the New York Times, she said that because she is a female, the media is making a bigger deal out of it. "I definitely feel because I am a female it did bring about a lot more attention than if a male were to do it,” Lambert said. “It’s more expected for men to go out there and be rough. The female, we’re still looked at as, Oh, we kick the ball around and score a goal. But it’s not. We train very hard to reach the highest level we can get to. The physical aspect has maybe increased over the years. I’m not saying it’s for the bad or it’s been too overly aggressive. It’s a game. Sports are physical.”

Yes, Elizabeth, sports are physical, but there is a fine line between good, physical play and dirty, unsportsman like play. To say that the media is making more of this because you're a girl is a cop out. Men do not play like that. That's why they don't get the attention you are getting right now. It's a disgrace. It's rare that the mainstream media talks about soccer, let alone Womens' College Soccer. Elizabeth, you have embarrassed the UNM Womens' program and the University, not the national attention they wanted. You are a Junior, an upper classman, yet you have lots of growing up to do.