Joe,
I don't think so. Although her unsportsmanlike and viscious deeds were an excellent display of the worst of sport, she conducted them out of the vision of the referee. Penalizing her because of these actions only after they were caught on someone's personal recording is opening up sport officiating to a can of worms. What is needed is a new look at how soccer is officiated. (I am assuming that she is being suspended by the league). However I do believe that her coach could and should suspend her. If the coach doesn't take action against her then maybe the school should fire the coach.

interesting take on the situation. Though, post event video review is implemented in many sports/leagues. For instance, the NFL often reviews games/plays and fines accordingly.

though, i'm not sure she did anything worse than Blount, from Oregon, and he was just reinstated.

Not condoning it, but in both cases, the other girl did something first. What will happen to them?

not sure. it's pretty crazy because you could trace back these causes...

Suspension for the season is an equitable consequence, even if it was only caught after the fact on video. Additionally, it begs the question who the heck was refereeing the game? It seems inexcusable that this was not taken care of earlier.

With regard to this type of behavior occurring in competitive high school sports, yes it does. However, I do not think it is the norm.

I think for a couple of games would be good. Like kirk said who was refing. I think that she should have had a red card those were ridiculous and dangerous fouls. I would think someone like that would have thrown out of games before that. Why are they just catching that now? Plus that should not be shown with young kids they might do that. That is not a role model for a good kid she might be one for a bully.

No qualifying, the answer is yes. No amount of excusing due to other behavior will do. If their was other illegal behavior, they should also be punished with appropriate action. Just because it wasn't caught on the field doesn't mean she should get away with it. Even if something was done to her first and not caught, she still did something wrong and should be punished. This behavior must not be allowed to go unpunished, that is why it is creeping into the younger sports. The NFL has been branded the no fun league for it's near zero tolerance of demonstration, and quick flags on the smallest infractions, but with influences on younger players being so great anymore, what with 24 hr sports coverage and common million dollar salaries and facebooks and youtubes, I unfortunately have to start agreeing with them. Stop it before it gets too big, punish even if it's discovered weeks later, and make it well known how severe the punishment and why it's done, to discourage others, and that dreaded creep.

I am not sure why she thought that it was okay to do this in the first place. Pulling a shirt, elbowing, trippping, they are all a part of the game that gets larger as they players get older. Where do we draw the line as the adults watching, "ref"ing and coaching the game. What signal have we sent the players when a similar play that gets a goal is condoned as okay? What she did was very blattant and everyone was horrified, but we let too much go in our daily games that can only escalate into something like this. I am sure this was not her first "offence" where these plays are concerned. Let's try to make it the last.

who the heck pulls someone down by their hair ! Duh she should be suspended indefinitely

She should not be allowed on the team the remainder of their schedule or one complete season and should have to undergo counseling it's apparent she has some issues that don't belong on any field she could have hurt someone.

The sport of soccer is growing by leaps and bounds in the U.S. and the physical play is a part of the game. Unfortunately, it has become a significant part of the game and is used by many teams to intimidate or injure other players. This is unacceptable and the variable is the referee. With so much at stake (maybe a players college career) these types of actions should be dealt with quickly and severely. Obviously the coach and referee should receive a direct review of their inaction on that day and the player should be required to attend some type of anger management counseling. She admitted that she lost control of her emotions. This person may be working with you, your kids, maybe coaching your kids. Is that really what you would want?
Without significant action, this type of behavior will continue and worsen over time. This will keep some of our better players from playing soccer and move to another sport, or even worse, not participate at all.

In my opinion, she should be suspended for a couple of games and make an official apology.
Her attacks were proven to be malicious and could have caused bad injuries. As you will remember Zidane (France) was penalized with a red card for his headbutt against the italian player.
Lets work on stopping this behaviour in the fields!

Indefinite is fine with me. That type of play at that level is inexcuable and for me, unforgiveable... I really don't care if she ever sets foot on a soccer field ever again....

The question I have is what about the coach.... Don't tell me this was the first time this girl played like this... if the coach had a conscious, the coach should have pulled her long ago or taken her off the team.

What about the referee?

In the big picture, this is a sad moment because this is hardly a singular act... it is only spectacular insofar as it was caught on video... parents, coaches, referees and players all contribute to the environment we create on the field and this type of violence has no place in the sport.

I think so. Her behavior at the match was unacceptable. It was unsportsmanlike and dangerous to others.