United's Ibarra, Lagos earn two top NASL awards

A Minnesota United FC player and the Loons coach received two major North American Soccer League awards on Friday.

Midfielder Miguel Ibarra was named the winner of the Golden Boot, which goes to the league's MVP, and Manny Lagos was named the league's Coach of the Year.

The Loons won the spring championship and finished with a league-high 55 points overall.

"Our whole team deserves this award because we had an amazing run and an amazing year," said Ibarra, who had eight goals and five assists.

"To me, Minnesota United won the Golden Ball. I wouldn't have done it without my teammates, the organization, the fans, and most importantly my family that has always supported me."

Ibarra, a native of Lancaster, Calif., was named to the NASL player of the week twice and player of the month once.

"We have had a good core of players the last few years and we brought in some exciting new talent this year as well," Lagos said. "I appreciate the honor, but it really is a reflection of what we did on the field as a team."

DeLaSalle lineman Drayton Carlberg on Friday announced his intention to play football for the University of Oregon.

The 6-5, 280-pound Carlberg, a senior who is rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, chose Oregon over five other finalists, including Minnesota.

He said Oregon's willingness to give him a shot at playing defensive line was a big part of his decision.

"I love Coach [Jerry] Kill and all the coaches [at Minnesota], but they only recruited me for one side of the ball," Carlberg said. "Oregon is going to give me a chance to play defensive line and that's my preference."

JIM PAULSEN

The Cyclones won with 66 points, the Gophers had 125 — or 50 fewer than third-place Bradley. Juniors Liz Berkholtz and Kaila Urick led Minnesota, taking sixth and eighth place, respectively.

In the men's meet, the Gophers place fourth with 128 points.

Oklahoma State (63) and Tulsa (77) qualified for the national meet as did Minnesota junior Aaron Bartnik as an individual by placing fourth in 30:12.1, which was 2.5 seconds behind the winner.

The Gophers men still have a chance of an at-large bid as a team; those selections will be made Saturday.

• AnneMarie Emme, of Glenville, Ill., signed a national letter of intent to play for the Gophers women's tennis team. She is ranked 75th nationally in singles by tennisrecruiting.net.