Catholic schools occupy five of the top eight spots in Division 1 of the CIF-Southern Section boys’ soccer rankings, released Dec. 17.

For the second straight week, Loyola and Cathedral are ranked 1-2 in D-1, followed by Servite (fourth), Santa Margarita (seventh) and Mater Dei (eighth). The only other Catholic schools ranked in the top 10 are Santa Clara (fourth in D-6), Paraclete (seventh in D-7) and St. Michael’s Prep (eighth in D-7).

Girls’ soccer

J.Serra maintains its No. 1 ranking in Division 1, with Santa Margarita ninth and Mater Dei tenth. La Salle likewise remains No. 1 in D-4.

Other rankings have Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks seventh and Bishop Montgomery eighth in D-3, St. Genevieve second in D-5, and Pomona Catholic fourth in D-6.

Girls’ water polo

The Dec. 17 poll shows Mater Dei fifth and Santa Margarita seventh in the combined Divisions 1 and 2 (to be separated at playoff time in February), and Villanova Prep fourth and J.Serra ninth in D-6.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

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