Posted by:OakleyAM on November 16, 2009 at 11:57 AM
There's been a lot of talk about the BYU versus New Mexico Womens Soccer match last week, you know where New Mexico player Elizabeth Lambert got into some punching, pulling, kicking on the field with numerous ladies on the BYU team.
If you haven't already seen it (or seen it enough):
Yes, this is entertaining. No, Lambert is not demonstrating in any way good sportsmanship that should be encouraged. However, many writers in the sports blogosphere seem to have taken a liking to Lambert. The general suggestion is that good or bad, women's pro soccer got some major publicity.
Here are a few examples from some sports blogs:
"Very rarely will we ever bring you women's college soccer highlights, this actually being the first. But when we do bring you highlights for sports like this, you know there is a good reason." (faniq.com)
"We are fans of womens college soccer now." (thesportsculture.com)
"Okay I'll be the first one to say it...this is hot. BYU and New Mexico had one of the only the chippiest women's soccer games you'll ever see." (deadspin.com)
"New Mexico’s Liz Lambert – The New Face Of Women’s College Athletics. If you’re wondering what could possibly cause women’s collegiate soccer highlights to receive more airtime on the overnight “SportsCenter” than the MLS playofs, consider the unique approach of New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert..." (cantstopthebleeding.com)
What do you guys think about this? I know when we were talking on here about Whip It and the unfortunate need for the women involved (Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page) to exploit their sexuality through marketing to get male viewers, and I feel like there might be some kind of similar vein here.
But then again, I don't know. Liz Lambert definately DOES come off pretty tough, and that may not be a bad image. Especially when it combats the preconcieved notion that women's soccer is boring or that women are weak.
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments! You guys are great, and so smart.
Lambert issued the apology:
"I am deeply and whole heartedly 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's administration. This is no way indicative of my character or the soccer player that I am...."
Who knows if that is reflective of what she really feels, or just required by UNM. It's not particularly thoughtful either way, and I wish she hadn't said "she let her emotions get the best" of her. That is lame! I have yet to read the NY Times interview...
There is no place for that sort of behaviour on a football (soccer) field - or anywhere in life for that matter. I definitely agree with gilliebean here - her conduct was not befitting of the game nor the hard work the players put into it. It shouldn't be a good thing for women's football, alas it will be since so many will undoubtedly find this attractive.
When I saw the highlights I was blown away by her blatant abuse of the BYU players. ESPN kind of hyped it up to be a cat fight meow type of deal where the sportscasters were divided on the issue. One half found it entertaining and have even said "I would want her on my team" while others see it as a disgraceful way to play the game. Both points have their merit but from a personal standpoint, I'm not even into men playing dirty, there is definitely a difference between being tough and standing your ground and just straight up street fighting on the field. Reminds me of the lady boxer in million dollar baby who sucker punched Hilary Swank causing her to become paralyzed, is it really that hot? Is it really that cool? I don't believe it.
Damn, talk about being a bad sport. Lambert is certainly not the poster girl for how to conduct yourself on the field... but this is definitely the most I've heard about women's soccer in a long time. It's just sad to me that the only way for women's college soccer to get any play is for some woman to beat the crap out of the other team's players. These athletes train all year and work their butts off to play a highly demanding sport, but will they ever get as much attention as, say, men's basketball? Or even men's soccer?
Trina, you make a really good point that Lambert's toughness (or insane violence on the field, whatever) is played up as a hot catfight instead of another athlete being too aggressive. Is this kind of situation always going to be portrayed as "girl-on-girl action" (kinda like "Whip It")?
I think that the blogosphere would go just as crazy over a male soccer player punching, kicking, and generally abusing other players. But I don't think anyone would find it endearing or "hot." The bloggers' reactions listed above still speak to the "preconceived notion...that women are weak." If a woman behaves aggressively, it's not viewed as a serious form of abuse, but rather downplayed as a cat fight or as entertainment. Conversely, if a man behaves aggressively on the field, folks start asking why he's such a jerk. I don't know if all of this attention is a good thing for women's soccer. Although it does give the impression that Liz is tough (and perhaps, that women soccer players generally speaking are tough), blogs like Deadspin aren't challenging gender stereotypes when they describe ill-sportsmanship and downright abuse between women as "hot." My two cents.
