Can We Call University of New Mexico the Oakland Raiders of College Sports?

Besides the Mike Locksley and Jb Gerald saga that has included physical altercations and now blackmail, now we can include some brutal play in the women's MWC soccer post season tournament against BYU  -- which BYU won 1-0.  The culprit was junior Elizabeth Lambert who was playing very brutal in the semi-final match

The list of offenses are tripping (which was the only foul called and was a yellow card), kicking a player, violently pulling a BYU's players pony tail which took her to the ground, punching in the back, knee to the stomach, slide tackle to the knee from behind, and finally a punch in the front and bak of the head as she cleared the ball.   This was all in one game and I repeat during the game she only received the yellow card for the tripping outside the box.

Effective immediately, Lambert is suspended from participating in all team activities which include, competition, games, and conditioning activities. Here is a statement about her actions.

"I am deeply and wholeheartedly regretful for my actions," said Lambert. "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."

While an apology was the right thing to do, it is bogus, because if this was just the punch she threw which she was provoked when a BYU player elbowed her or the knee to the stomach  she gave when fighting for the ball the apology would seem sincere, but when you read the laundry list of what she did her emotions were not the best to get a hold of her.

A side note about myself I played water polo in college and it is a tough and physical sport and there have been times when I elbowed or punched guys under water, and kicked players that were either annoying me by stopping me, being too physical, or even fighting me.  However, typically it was a one time thing because I played physical but did not result in punching or kicking just to get an advantage or cause pain. 

So, I understand a random act by getting frustrated but what Elizabeth Lambert did was much more then that.  The Lobos have been in the news for the wrong reasons then any team in the Mountain West, and for your viewing pleasure the video below is the incident that occurred in the soccer match.