Water Polo (Boys) | 10/7/2025 9:59:00 AM
Cathedral Catholic Battles California's Best, Finishes Runner-Up at Elite 8 Tournament
The Cathedral Catholic boys' water polo team delivered an incredible weekend of polo, featuring high-level play that culminated in a thrilling run to the Elite 8 Tournament Finals at Harvard-Westlake High School, where they advanced to the semifinals and finals in this prestigious tournament for the first time in program history.
After a dramatic 12-11 semifinal victory over Northern California powerhouse Miramonte High School, the #2-ranked Dons earned a spot in the championship game against Newport Harbor High School, the #1-ranked team in California.
Semifinal Grit: Dons Edge Miramonte
In the semifinal, every possession mattered. The two teams traded goals through three quarters before Cathedral broke through late. Junior goalie Luke Anderson anchored the defense with several clutch saves, including multiple point-blank stops that preserved the lead. On offense, senior Maximus Arnold was unstoppable, netting five goals to power the Dons to the narrow 12-11 win and a ticket to the title game.
Final Showdown: Cathedral 13, Newport Harbor 14
In the championship matchup, Cathedral came out fired up, fearless, and ready to challenge the nation's top-ranked team.
The Dons struck first as #3 Colin McPhail tipped in a perfectly placed pass to give Cathedral an early 1-0 lead. Newport responded immediately on the next possession, converting on an exclusion to even the game at 1-1. The first quarter became a back-and-forth showcase of elite polo, marked by sharp passing, quick transitions, and physical play on both sides.
McPhail struck again from the set to regain the lead at 2-1, only for Newport to answer seconds later. #5 Diego Dantas then ripped a skipping shot from the wing to put Cathedral up 3-2, before Newport equalized again and later took their first lead of the game, 4-3, on a penalty shot. Despite falling behind, the Dons' defensive energy and vocal communication—"one stop!" echoing across the pool—set the tone for what would be a fierce contest from start to finish.
The second quarter mirrored the first in intensity. Newport capitalized on a few fastbreaks to open a slight lead, but Cathedral kept pace with strong efforts from #11 Maximus Arnold and #20 Grayson Taylor, tying the game 6-6 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Newport briefly take the lead, but Cathedral's resilience remained strong. #4 Jett Taylor ripped a crucial outside goal through heavy defensive traffic, igniting the Dons' bench. #17 Max Bruhn and #20 Grayson Taylor each added two goals, while #9 Hudson Tweed, #5 Diego Dantas, and #16 Kenly Braylen Axline contributed key scores in the final quarter to fuel a late comeback attempt.
In goal, junior Oren Penning was outstanding. Facing relentless offensive pressure, Penning delivered numerous highlight saves, keeping the Dons within striking distance throughout the match and giving his team every chance to win.
With just seconds remaining, Axline scored back-to-back goals — one on a creative backhand flip and another off a last-second assist from #7 Eamon Bruhn — bringing Cathedral within one, 13–14, as the buzzer sounded.
Although the Dons came up just short, their performance showed they can compete with California's best. After the game, speaking on the budding rivalry growing between the two programs, Head Coach Tommy Corcoran said, "It can't be a rivalry until we start winning." His words reflect the team's toughness, accountability, and determination to keep improving and close the gap on the state's top programs.
A Program on the Rise
With their runner-up finish in one of the most prestigious national tournaments, the Dons proved they belong among the country's elite water polo programs. Their discipline and composure were on full display, a testament to their preparation and confidence in one another.
Next up, Cathedral Catholic returns to San Diego play with a matchup against Bishop's High School on Tuesday, October 7th (Varsity at 5 pm, JV at 3:30 pm).
Roll Dons!
