On Sept. 12-13, the Cathedral Prep water polo team traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to compete in the Ohio Cup Tournament for the second year in a row. The Ramblers took 2nd place in the tournament last year following a 14-10 loss to Chicago Park District and returned this year determined win it all.
The team started off the tournament against St. Charles of Columbus, the defending Ohio state champions. The Ramblers had just gotten off of a four-hour car ride and had a bit of a rocky start to the tournament. At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 3-3, and Prep fought hard to edge out a lead of 5-4 at the half. Despite evening out the score by the end of the third quarter, St. Charles was unable to take over the lead and fell to Prep 9-8 thanks to 4 goals from Anthony Squeglia, 3 from Calvin Behm, and 1 goal each from Rex Riley and Thomas Squeglia. Defensive contributions were made by Daniel Anthony with 16 saves in goal, and David Rahner with a game saving field block in the late fourth quarter.

The second game was against the Oakwood Lumberjacks of Dayton, Ohio. The Oakwood game came with much relief from the previous nail-biter as Prep gained a 11-4 lead at the half. The momentum continued as Prep chopped down the Lumberjacks 16-10.  Large offensive contributions included 5 goals from Behm and 2 goals each from T. Squeglia, A. Squeglia, Riley, and Patrick Steele.
The third game, played against the tournament host, Kilbourne High School, was an even greater victory as the Ramblers crushed Kilbourne 18-3 thanks to an entire team effort.
The second day began with Prep scheduled to a play Chicago Park District in the semifinal with Prep determined to gain revenge. The team experienced some internal offensive challenges in the first quarter as it ended with Prep down 1-0. Following a changeup in offensive strategy, Prep led the competition 5-2. The game ended with a 10-5 victory thanks to 4 goals from Behm, 3 from A. Squeglia, 2 from T. Squeglia, and one from Rahner.

Following four wins in a row, Prep found themselves in the championship game for the second year in a row, this time against St. Xavier of Cincinnati, Ohio. Prep led St. X 2-1 at the end of the first, and netted two more for a 4-1 lead at the half thanks to 8 steals by Prep’s team defense during the quarter. The game ended with a Prep victory of 8-4 thanks to 4 goals from Behm, 2 from A. Squeglia, and 1 each from Riley and Rahner. Prep had accomplished their two-year mission of winning the Ohio Cup.
In addition, the All-Ohio Cup Team awards were given out to the seven best field players and goalie for the tournament.  Of the seven, two players from Prep were chosen: goalie Daniel Anthony and whole set Calvin Behm.
The Ramblers are off this weekend and will resume playing on Wednesday, September 23 with a 7:15 p.m. game on the road against McDowell, followed by a trip to the Philadelphia region for the very large Beast of the East Tournament on September 25-26.