Second-half goals by Greg Jordan and Christian Ramirez led Minnesota United FC to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta on Saturday in the North American Soccer League.

Ramirez's goal, on a header off a free kick to the far post, put United ahead 2-0 in the 74th minute. It was his NASL-leading fifth goal of the season; he also had the assist on Jordan's goal.

Kwadwo Poku scored for the Silverbacks (3-5) in the 85th minute.

The victory keeps United (6-1-1) in first place in the spring season with 19 points and one match left, at Tampa Bay next Saturday.

Also in the spring championship title race are the New York Cosmos and San Antonio Scorpions. Both are 5-1-2 with 16 points apiece.

Seven from U advance

Senior John Simons of the Gophers finished third in his heat — and overall — in the 1,500 (3:40.56) and junior Dominique Howard was sixth in the discus (191 feet, 8 inches) Saturday in the NCAA West Preliminaries in Fayetteville, Ark.

By placing in the top 12, they advanced to the NCAA meet June 11-14 in Eugene, Ore.

So did junior Devin Stanford in the hammer throw and the 4x400 relay team in the women's competition. Stanford placed 10th (191-11) and the relay 11th in a program-record time (3:34.71).

Etc.

• The visiting St. Paul Saints defeated the New Jersey Jackals 5-0 on Saturday as Cole Nelson went 6⅓ innings and Mikey Mehlich 2⅔ for the combined shutout.

• Winona State's Wyatt Scott and Cade Laufenberg finished third in the College Fishing Central Conference tournament Saturday in Fort Madison, Iowa. The pair caught three bass totaling 7 pounds.