"When you're out on the field, the adrenaline is going so much that you don't even realize that you've gotten hit a lot of the times."
- Jennifer Buehler
"for the most part, we get treated well."
-Kim Nelson
This explains a lot. I have actually heard referees say that they treat the Femmes differently.
I am not saying that they can't play. I am saying that they get preferential treatment from officials, which directly affects the outcome of games. I see no problem with preferential treatment from sponsors- they are high profile, so they are a good investment. I do see problems when referees say "yeah, I felt bad for her," after cleaning a player up who goes on to run a tape and open a game.