Violence Becoming Norm for Women's Sports?

A Look Into the Internet Uproar Over Elizabeth Lambert's Unsportsmanlike Conduct, High School Soccer Brawl Over Weekend

(CBS/AP)  A women's college soccer game turned ugly for one player whose aggression is causing a ruckus - both on and off the field.

CBS News correspondent Michelle Gielan reported 20-year-old college soccer player Elizabeth Lambert is causing an Internet uproar for her shocking behavior on the field many are wondering if violence in women's sports is becoming the norm.

Lambert, a New Mexico college player, was caught on tape with some extreme examples of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Lambert hit, kicked, and punched her way through the game. Coaches later suspended her from the team

Joel Fish, a sports psychologist, said, "We're just not used to as a culture seeing someone pull someone's hair and knock them down."

Gielan said it seems girls of all ages are behaving badly -- as demonstrated by two Providence, R.I., high school soccer teams let fists fly in the middle of game this weekend.

The fight captured on video by WPRI-TV broke out Sunday with about a minute left in a match between Woonsocket and Tolman high schools.

Woonsocket was leading 5-0 when two players collided, setting off the fray. Fans fought in the bleachers during an awards ceremony.

Woonsocket coach Kathleen Fagnant says she doesn't know how the fight started but says she isn't going to "take the fall for that."

Aggression, Gielan said, is nothing new for many male athletes -- and fans are used to it. However, on the women's side unsportsmanlike conduct is making headlines - and is becoming more common.

Fish said, "Girls are having the opportunity to play contact sports more than ever before and when competitors compete, boy or girl, and there is a contact sport, emotions can fly."

Many soccer coaches agree, it's not necessarily a case of hormones, it might just be part of the game.

Coach Jennifer Rockwood of Brigham Young University said, "Sometimes things happen on the field and we don't have any control over them."

Lambert apologized for her actions, saying, "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."

[sdh26234]

It is a sad trend in America in general, as women of all ages try to do every other thing that was historically typically what boys and men did, without blaming women for such only, that the American traditioanl and Biblical home is getting more and and more sort of extinct, right? It seems like, America is more and more replicating the Soviet System? The Rock of Gibraltar so to speak, of any true and successful culture has always been the home, as actually established by God Almighty, when he created Planet Earth and created a man and a woman by the name of Adam and Eve. Since this is the Nation under God and its Commander in Chief's oath is done with his hand upon the Bible, it is, that I entered that principle in my comment.

[sam-kiley]

bonjour
Lambert, a New Mexico college player, was caught on tape with some extreme examples of unsportsmanlike conduct.

c'est une honte d'en arriver a de telles actes de la part d'une femme,
on a l'impression de suivre un combat de "judo"..et encore..
un tel comportememnt était déja "inacceptable" de la part d'un homme-athléte....
voila que ces dames s'y mettent aussi....comme si la violence était un acte a "envier"...malheureux..elle mérite un punition qui servira de leçon aux autres...au revoir

[rf35]

Many (from what I can see, most) female athletes are rather masculine looking. This is especially true in sports that might be considered traditionally male events: soccer, hockey, American football, rugby, basketball, etc. The women who participate in there sports seem to be a bit more manly than the average female. This is probably due to having above-average testosterone levels. These higher testosterone levels would cause increased aggression and are likely part of the reason the females were attracted to these types of sports to begin with.

Sorry if this end up being a multiple post...CBS is having comment issues (again).

[rf35]

Many (from what I can see, most) female athletes are rather masculine looking. This is especially true in sports that might be considered traditionally male events: soccer, hockey, American football, rugby, basketball, etc. The women who participate in there sports seem to be a bit more manly than the average female. This is probably due to having above-average testosterone levels. These higher testosterone levels would cause increased aggression and are likely part of the reason the females were attracted to these types of sports to begin with.

Sorry if this end up as a multiple post...CBS is having comment issues.

[rf35]

Many (from what I can see, most) female athletes are rather masculine looking. This is especially true in sports that might be considered traditionally male events: soccer, hockey, American football, rugby, basketball, etc. The women who participate in there sports seem to be a bit more manly than the average female. This is probably due to having above-average testosterone levels. These higher testosterone levels would cause increased aggression and are likely part of the reason the females were attracted to these types of sports to begin with.

[rf35]

Many (from what I can see, most) female athletes are rather masculine looking. This is especially true in sports that might be considered traditionally male events: soccer, hockey, American football, rugby, basketball, etc. The women who participate in there sports seem to be a bit more manly than the average female. This is probably due to having above-average testosterone levels. These higher testosterone levels would cause increased aggression and are likely part of the reason the females were attracted to these types of sports to begin with.

[dang2010]

There were several cheap shots, mostly of Elizabeth; not sure if she was provoked or not. What I'd like to know is why the coach kept her in the game? Also, did the University suspend the coach?

[CompletelyFrustrated]

she should be banned permanently! There was absolutely no reason for her field antics except that she is a thug and this type of violence should have gotten her "red carded" after the first punch!

Lambert apologized for her actions, saying, "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."

Riiiiight!! She's a poor sport and does not deserve to play at all! I worked with girls soccer teams and if anyone of the girls pulled this garbage she'd be on the bench for the rest of the season!

Joel Fish, a sports psychologist, said, "We're just not used to as a culture seeing someone pull someone's hair and knock them down." and in what world is this behavior culturally acceptable??? NONE!!!