Taylor Stainbrook scores twice, Gophers rout SDSU in NCAA women's soccer

Senior Taylor Stainbrook scored two goals and had an assist as the Gophers routed South Dakota State 5-0 in a first-round NCAA women's soccer match on Friday night at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.

It was Minnesota's first victory since Oct. 11; since then the Gophers (12-6-3) had gone 0-4-1.

Stainbrook scored the only goal of the first half in the 18th minute and got her fourth goal of the season in the 60th minute of the second for a 4-0 lead. The Gophers' other goals came on an own goal by the Jackrabbits, and goals by Josee Stiever and Julianna Gernes.

Minnesota outshot SDSU 23-6. Gophers keeper Tarah Hobbs made one save, SDSU's Nicole Inskeep seven.

The Jackrabbits (12-6-3) won the Summit League tournament for an automatic NCAA tournament spot and were unbeaten (4-0-1) in their past five matches.

Next the Gophers, who sweated out an at-large tournament bid, will play the winner of Saturday's match between Loyola Marymount and California in Berkeley.

The Gophers men's cross-country team finished second in the Midwest Regional in Lawrence, Kan., with 95 points — Oklahoma State won with 59 — to qualify for the NCAA championships for the first time since 2011. Aaron Bartnik was 12th for Minnesota and Obsa Ali 14th.

The top two teams automatically advance to the NCAA meet on Nov. 21 at Louisville; the Gophers have to hope for a possible at-large bid.

Liz Berkholtz of the Gophers placed 11th and teammate Haley Johnson 13th.

North Dakota State junior Erin Teschuk was the individual winner, covering 6K in 20 minutes, 7.7 seconds.

Four players for Minnesota United FC are on the North American Soccer League's Best XI. Defender Justin Davis and forward Christian Ramirez are repeat picks from 2014. They are joined on the NASL's elite side by midfielder Ibson and defender Kevin Venegas.

Davis led the Loons in minutes played (2,609), and was the highest-scoring defender in the league with five goals. His defensive partner Venegas had more assists (six) than any defender in the league.

• Kristin Stern and Tegan Laberge each had 17 kills as Bethel beat Wisconsin-Eau Claire 23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 in Whitewater, Wis., in a second-round NCAA Division III volleyball match. Kali Johnson had 30 digs for the Royals.

• Bethel was named the MIAC women's basketball favorite in an preseason conference coaches' poll, closely followed by defending champion St. Thomas in second.

• Senior setter Drew Smith of Northern State was named the NSIC Player of the Year in volleyball. She is averaging 13.3 assists per set, which leads the nation. The Wolves' Brent Aldridge was named the Coach of the Year and middle blocker Taylor Reiss of Southwest Minnesota State the Freshman of the Year. … Earlier, junior middle blocker Riley Hanson of Concordia (St. Paul) was named the AVCA Division II national player of week. Last weekend, she got her 1,000th kill and set a single-match career high with 24 kills.

• Minot State edged Winona State 1-0 in overtime in a first round NCA Division II women's soccer match in Warrensburg, Mo.