CCCSIA men's soccer poll tightens during second week of rankings

SAN BERNARDINO - In the second week of any poll, voters usually have an easier time of making their decisions, as they are able to get a better sense of how teams are trending. It allows for a bit of a reset, giving the top teams a better chance of rising to the top away from the field.

Week two of the men’s soccer poll conducted by the California Community College Sports Information Association ended up tightening the results among the top teams. And with the results of Tuesday’s action, next week’s poll doesn’t look like it will get easier.

Eleven teams finished the week two poll receiving 100 points in the voting by sports information professionals, but the top two teams remained constant, gaining some ground on the competition.

Oxnard (4-0-1) remained in the top spot in voting, securing five first place votes and holding an 11-point lead over No. 2 Fullerton (6-1-0), which received three first place votes. The Hornets may have bolstered their cause on Tuesday, as they dispatched this week’s No. 4 team, Norco (4-1-2), 2-1 at home.

Meanwhile, another pair of top five teams met on Tuesday, with No. 3 El Camino (6-1-0) going on the road and handing Glendale (tied for fifth) its first loss of the season. The Warriors got goals from five different players as they outshot Glendale 33-8 in a 5-0 victory.

And another two top teams met Tuesday, as San Bernardino Valley – which fell from No. 5 to No. 11 after its loss to Santa Ana last Friday – beat No. 9 (tie) Mt. San Antonio at Mt. SAC.

Northern California teams hold down spots in five through nine, with Evergreen Valley finishing tied with Glendale for fifth. It is followed by Merced, Fresno City, and Santa Rosa – which is in a tie with Mt. SAC for No. 9 with 104 points.

After SBVC’s 103 points at No. 11, the poll drops off, as Taft drops one spot to No. 12 with 73 points, and Skyline behind it at 61 points.

(Bill Norris, CCCSIA)