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Girl's violent soccer play drawing strong reactions

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By PETER BERNARD | WFLA

Published: November 9, 2009

The soccer player from the University of New Mexico yanks an opponent's ponytail so hard she falls to the ground in pain. And she punches a girl in the back. And she hits a player in the face.

The poor sportsmanship was caught on video and has become the latest YouTube hit.

In the Bay area, it seems almost every soccer player has seen the video. The reaction from players, parents and coaches is the same: condemnation.

"The girl should have got a red card right away,'' said Skycrest Christian player Dayne Dawson. "And she shouldn't be playing. She should get kicked off the team."

Dawson was competing in a match this afternoon at Putnam fields in Palm Harbor. Virtually everyone playing and watching the match knew of the video.

"I though it was really unnecessary and that someone could have gotten hurt if she did any more," said Vince Jacono, a player on the opposing team, the Guardian Angels.

Coaches on both sides say they would not allow similar unsportsman-like actions to go on without notice.

"He would not play anymore, at least that day. Then we talk and see what happens," said Guardian Angels coach Juan Gonzalez.

The Skycrest coach agreed. "If I see that, I'll tell my players. Usually just take them out for a couple of minutes, then tell them what they did wrong and usually put them right back in."

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