Christian Ramirez and Justin Davis of United named to Best XI

Two players for Minnesota United FC, forward Christian Ramirez and defender Justin Davis, were named to the North American Soccer League's Best XI team for the third year in a row.

Ramirez led the NASL in goals with 18 and added four assists on the 34 chances he created.

Davis started 31 games for United, won 165 duels, made 89 interceptions and made 64 tackles to lead the Loons in each of those categories.

Edmonton's Matt VanOekel, a former Loon, was named the goalkeeper on the Best XI.

The New York Cosmos had the most selections with three.

U runners fourth

The No. 26 Gophers women's cross-country team placed fourth in the NCAA Midwest Regional in Iowa City.

Junior Madeline Strandemo was seventh in 20 minutes, 23.7 seconds on the 6K course, freshman Megan Hasz ninth in 20:27.2 and Hasz's twin sister, Bethany Hasz, 12th in 20:32.6. All three earned All-Midwest regional honors.

Missouri won the team title with 83 points, and Oklahoma State (89) and Iowa State (90) and the Gophers (131) followed. The top two teams automatically advance to the NCAA meet. At-large team and individual selections will be announced Saturday.

"Maddie should make it to the national meet as the fourth individual [not on an automatically advancing team]," Gophers coach Sarah Hopkins said, "and Megan might eke her way in there, too. We still have a shot" as a team also.

• The Gophers men's cross-country team took seventh in the Midwest Regional. Obsa Ali was the top Gophers runner, finishing in 14th place in 30:42.1 for the 10K race. Charlie Lawrence was 18th in 30:45.5. Both earned all-region honors.

Etc.

• The Gophers women's golf team signed four players, including Grace Kellar of Edina High School. She finished fourth in the Class 3A state meet last spring, helping the Hornets win the team title. Others signing were Jessica Lee of Hinsdale, Ill., Kate Littlie of St. Charles, Ill., and Joanne Free of Gullane, Scotland.

• Defending national champion Cal Lutheran beat Gustavus 25-15, 25-12, 25-23 in the NCAA Division III regional volleyball semifinals at Northwestern (St. Paul).