The Santa Barbara Dons boys soccer team took over Division II’s No. 1 position in the new CIF poll released Monday, moving up from No. 7 after a 16-1 preseason that included two tournament titles.
Ventura, the preseason No. 1, falls to the No. 2 slot. The Cougars and the Dons clash on Tuesday in Santa Barbara’s Channel League opener.
Santa Barbara defeated Carpinteria 2-0 in early December to win the Cats & Hounds Tournament and recently beat Buena 3-0 to win the Buena Tournament.
The Dons’ only loss of the season was a 2-1 decision in the title game of the South Torrance Tournament against Loyola, the No. 4 team in Division I.
In girls water polo, Dos Pueblos maintained its No. 3 position after a 10-2 start to the season — most of it played without injured star Kiley Neushul. Santa Barbara (5-7) fell from No. 7 to No. 9.
Corona del Mar took over the No. 1 spot from Newport Harbor (now No. 2).
Cate and Laguna Blanca are No. 6 and 7 respectively in girls soccer Division VII. The Owls are new to the top-10 thanks to a 7-2 start. The Rams host Laguna in a Condor League clash on Friday.
