UNM Women's Soccer Controversy, Commonplace in The Women's Game

The Mountain West Conference Semifinal of the NCAA national tournament pitted BYU against the University of New Mexico, where BYU barely scraped by with a 1-0 win.  However, BYU's advance to the NCAA women's DI soccer regional finals has been overshadowed by the much publicized play of Elizabeth Lambert, University of New Mexico junior defender. 

Lambert has been suspended indefinitley for her unsportsman-like play in the match, where she is seen maliciously yanking a BYU forward to the ground by her hair.  It was only in the 76th minute of the match that she was shown a yellow card, although it is evident that such conduct deserves immediate expulsion from the match. 

However, although Lamert's acts are impermissible, I'm afraid it's the fact that she's a woman that has garnered her so much attention.  ESPN has zealously publicized this event.  Regarding Lambert's unsportsmanlike conduct, an ESPN reporter remarked that it "is rare when women athletes are involved in any type of this behavior".  Yet, such a comment seems ignorant of the world of female athletics in general, and women's soccer in particular.  As a member of a NCAA Division II Women's soccer team, I can attest to the fact that the women's game is just as physical and participants are just as aggresive as in any men's match.  And, although I have never witnessed such play akin to Lambert's on the collegiate level, I have seen worst at the lower levels of women's soccer.

In no way am I condoning Lambert's actions.  Her play in the UNM, BYU game is detestible.  But I think there is a lot to be said about how much publicity her foul-play has recieved, when foul play of the same caliber occurs in men's hockey or football matches all over the globe.  Physical and aggressive play is central to the game of soccer, and, especially in the United States where the women's game is arguably the most well-developed in the world, this element of physicality has been well-integrated.  As such, instances like that between UNM and BYU should be considered a failing, but also a common practice in the women's game.  To think otherwise, is to be ingnorant of how far the women's game has come.