Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert

Soccer

Lambert says her actions in BYU match "were uncalled for": Elizabeth Lambert, a junior defender for New Mexico, has become an Internet celebrity for the wrong reasons.

Lambert was suspended from the team indefinitely Friday for her infractions the day before during a 1-0 loss to Brigham Young in a Mountain West Conference semifinal. Lambert is seen in video from the match throwing elbows, colliding with several players and yanking the ponytail of BYU player Kassidy Shumway; Shumway went crashing to the ground.

"My actions were uncalled for," Lambert said in a statement released by New Mexico officials. "I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation."

Lambert's actions brought unprecedented — and unwanted — attention to the Mountain West women's tournament.

"Liz is a quality student-athlete, but in this instance her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship," New Mexico coach Kit Vela said.

Lambert was the only player to be penalized in the match. The highlights showed the match was physical in both directions, including an elbow to Lambert's ribs by a BYU player during a dead ball. Lambert responded with an elbow to the back.

"This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer player I am," Lambert said in her apology.

Beckham prospers: England midfielder David Beckham earned nearly $16.5 million from personal-sponsorship deals during his first full season with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

Beckham joined the Galaxy on a five-year contract in July 2007. Despite the nonrenewal of sponsorship contracts with Gillette and Pepsi, his advisers at 19 Entertainment said they are confident of expanding his off-the-field portfolio.

Figure skating

American edges Ando in women's short program in Japan: Ashley Wagner of the United States finished first in the women's short program at the NHK Trophy, edging Miki Ando of Japan in Nagano, Japan.

Wagner's lone mistake came on a double axel that was downgraded and she finished with 56.54 points. Ando was second with 56.22 points and Yukari Nakano of Japan was third with 54.92.

"First place is a good place to be, but it wasn't my best performance," Wagner said.

Wagner is bidding for a place in the Grand Prix final, which will be held in Tokyo starting Dec. 3.

In the men's short program, Brian Joubert of France placed first and Jeremy Abbott of the United States was second.

Hockey

U.S. women beat Canada: Meghan Duggan scored the winner in the second period as the defending champion United States beat Canada 3-2 in their final group game of the Four Nations Cup in Vierumaki, Finland. Both teams had already advanced to today's final.

U.S. juniors to play for gold: The United States beat Russia 6-3 and will play for the gold medal at the 2009 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, a 19-and-under men's tournament in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The United States will play either Canada East or Canada West on Sunday.

Tennis

Best-of-five Fed Cup final starts today: Italy meets the U.S. women on a slow, red-clay court in a best-of-five Fed Cup final beginning today in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Federer enjoys home cooking: Three-time defending champion Roger Federer of Switzerland beat Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

Boxing

Haye challenges Valuev: David Haye (22-1) of England faces WBC heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev (50-1) of Russia in a title bout today in Nuremberg, Germany.

Pan American Games

Toronto to host 2015 event: The 2015 Pan American Games are going to Toronto.

The Pan American Sports Organization awarded the Games in a secret vote, with Toronto receiving 33 votes to win on the first ballot. Lima, Peru, received 11 votes and Bogota, Colombia, got seven.

Seattle Times news services