Ben Vessa
@vessaben.bsky.social
Former high school teacher and coach. Current storyteller at metrosportsstl.com and sports photographer at benvessa.smugmug.com. Missouri Lacrosse ‘Man of the Year’ (2023). Fantasy Football champion (2024).
BBB: When life gave them Ayden Lemons, clutch shots were often made. (Warning: story may contain zesty, refreshing puns)
metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/11/l...
metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/11/l...
Lemons' career night helps Marquette squeeze past Westminster for PB&T tourney title
TOWN AND COUNTRY – The scouting report is fairly straightforward when facing the Marquette boys basketball team. Brody Owen shoots the lights out from the perimeter. Alex Komorech averages a double-do...
metrosportsstl.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:34 AM
BBB: When life gave them Ayden Lemons, clutch shots were often made. (Warning: story may contain zesty, refreshing puns)
metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/11/l...
metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/11/l...
FB: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/05/l...
Lift for Life ends historic season with narrow loss to Seneca in Class 3 state title game
The Seneca football team did not expect it to happen any other way. After two state championship losses, an injury-riddled year and a last-second defeat in the final game of the regular season, the In...
metrosportsstl.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:17 AM
FB: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/12/05/l...
BSOC: Hayden Graddy was ready for his moment metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/26/c...
Class 2: Graddy saves PK in relief, helps Springfield Catholic outlast Principia for state title
FENTON – Freshman goalkeeper Hayden Graddy ran onto the field like it was common operating procedure. Early in the second half of the Class 2 state championship game, Springfield Catholic starting goa...
metrosportsstl.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
BSOC: Hayden Graddy was ready for his moment metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/26/c...
BSOC: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/24/c...
Class 4: Niles converts controversial penalty kick, propels SLUH over Rockhurst for repeat state title
FENTON – Connor Niles had never scored a goal in a high school game as he stood over the most important penalty kick of the St. Louis University High season. Senior captain Henry Sanders, the usual pe...
metrosportsstl.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:59 AM
BSOC: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/24/c...
BSOC: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/25/c...
Class 3: Van Horn survives early red card, follows 'joga bonito' motto to defeat Fort Zumwalt East for first state title
FENTON – The Van Horn soccer team has several players who can put the ball in the net, but before the Falcons could become a championship team, those potent scorers had to learn to share the glory. “I...
metrosportsstl.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:58 AM
BSOC: Class 3 championship: metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/25/c...
BSOC: High drama in the state semifinals metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/21/t...
Temple scores OT winner to propel Veritas Christian over Metro, into state title game; Principia, Zumwalt East, SLUH win in semis
FENTON – Veritas Christian senior Ashton Temple is not a fan of overtime. “I hate it. There’s so much pressure,” he said. Temple certainly enjoyed a playoff run in which the Eagles won every game by f...
metrosportsstl.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:35 AM
BSOC: High drama in the state semifinals metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/21/t...
BSOC: Fort Zumwalt West goalkeeper Cody Baden went from stopper to scorer to send the Jaguars to the final four. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/18/g...
Goalkeeper Baden blasts overtime free kick to send Fort Zumwalt West to program's first state semifinal with win over Francis Howell
WELDON SPRING – Fort Zumwalt goalkeeper Cody Baden does not normally take free kicks when the ball is resting at midfield. But in overtime of the state quarterfinal match against Francis Howell, and w...
metrosportsstl.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:57 AM
BSOC: Fort Zumwalt West goalkeeper Cody Baden went from stopper to scorer to send the Jaguars to the final four. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/18/g...
FB: FB: A district championship thriller came down to the execution of one play - a play nobody saw coming. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/17/s...
Sullivan two-point gamble pays off in double overtime victory over Vianney for district title
KIRKWOOD – Sullivan junior Mahlon Foster only completed two passes during the entirety of the game. Senior Chase Blue only caught two passes for the entirety of his career. So, when Sullivan made th...
metrosportsstl.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
FB: FB: A district championship thriller came down to the execution of one play - a play nobody saw coming. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/17/s...
CFB: Lindenwood will try to erase the bitter taste of letting one slip away before facing Eastern Illinois in the home finale this Sat. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/14/l...
Lindenwood looks to right ship after tidal wave of miscues leads to loss at Western Illinois
There was hope that the Lindenwood special teams unit had turned a corner. During a season scarred by missed field goals, punting mishaps and fumbled returns, the Lions’ special teams unit played bril...
metrosportsstl.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:31 PM
CFB: Lindenwood will try to erase the bitter taste of letting one slip away before facing Eastern Illinois in the home finale this Sat. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/14/l...
BSOC: Breaking News: The defending state champs are still alive after St. Mary’s is stripped of district title metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/13/d...
Defending Class 1 champ Valley Park to play in state quarterfinal after St. Mary's stripped of district title
The Missouri State High School Activities Association awarded Valley Park the Class 1 District 1 championship after reviewing additional footage from an altercation between district champion St. Mary’...
metrosportsstl.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:12 PM
BSOC: Breaking News: The defending state champs are still alive after St. Mary’s is stripped of district title metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/13/d...
BSOC: Two 22-win, defending state champions met two weeks before they should have. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/11/i...
In game that could have shined light on high school soccer, SLUH defeats Ladue in darkness for district title
MANCHESTER – On a frigid Monday evening and in the dimness of semi-functioning lights, SLUH defeated Ladue 2-1 to win the Class 4 District 2 championship in a high-level soccer game that should have b...
metrosportsstl.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:44 AM
BSOC: Two 22-win, defending state champions met two weeks before they should have. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/11/i...
BSOC: BSOC: It was celebration time for Summit boys soccer, and they are really good at it. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/10/p...
Parmer puts Summit in celebration mode with overtime game-winner against Webster Groves for district title
WEBSTER GROVES – The Summit boys soccer team insists there is not a ‘goal celebration’ station at practice. Two days after senior Nick Nusser hit a cartwheel/backflip combo to celebrate his game-tyin...
metrosportsstl.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
BSOC: BSOC: It was celebration time for Summit boys soccer, and they are really good at it. metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/10/p...
Jake Clifton was in a zone metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/07/c...
Clifton scores four goals, powers Webster Groves past Pacific in district semifinal
WEBSTER GROVES – Prior to the district tournament, the Webster Groves boys soccer team had no player who scored more than six goals during the season. “It’s been goal scoring by committee,” Statesmen ...
metrosportsstl.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Jake Clifton was in a zone metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/07/c...
FH: John Burroughs uses penalty corner prowess to defeat St. Joseph's in state championship game metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/02/j...
John Burroughs uses penalty corner prowess to defeat St. Joseph's in state championship game
MARYLAND HEIGHTS – The John Burroughs field hockey team has a motto affectionately referred to as “FE-O WE-O.” It means, “For Each Other, With Each Other” and serves as a guiding principle to always w...
metrosportsstl.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
FH: John Burroughs uses penalty corner prowess to defeat St. Joseph's in state championship game metrosportsstl.com/2025/11/02/j...
FH: A state semifinal day that will be remembered for a long time metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/31/k...
Kaminski finds redemption in 1v1s, propels St. Joseph's over MICDS in semifinal thriller
MARYLAND HEIGHTS – Lylah Kaminski wanted to set the tone as the leadoff participant in the 1v1 penalty shootout. After four quarters and two overtimes could not determine a winner between St. Joseph’s...
metrosportsstl.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
FH: A state semifinal day that will be remembered for a long time metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/31/k...
FH: A state semifinal day that will be remembered for a long time. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/31/m...
Merlin's overtime wizardry propels John Burroughs over Villa Duchesne, into state final
MARYLAND HEIGHTS – Lila Merlin did not want to stain the beauty. During the 7-on-7 overtime period in the state semifinal, the John Burroughs sophomore watched the ball connect stick-to-stick on the B...
metrosportsstl.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:07 PM
FH: A state semifinal day that will be remembered for a long time. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/31/m...
FH: No 10 seed Lafayette is among the final eight teams remaining is the Missouri Field Hockey State Playoffs, after finishing last season with a 6-12 record. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/26/l...
Lafayette rides youth movement to upset victory over Kirkwood, into state quarterfinal
LADUE – Lafayette senior captain Ellie Letourneau woke up Saturday morning and sent a group text to her field hockey teammates prior to the Lancers’ second-round playoff game against Kirkwood. “I text...
metrosportsstl.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:06 PM
FH: No 10 seed Lafayette is among the final eight teams remaining is the Missouri Field Hockey State Playoffs, after finishing last season with a 6-12 record. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/26/l...
FH: The Missouri State Field Hockey Tournament is underway and we’ve already seen spectacular performances and fantastic finishes. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/23/f...
First Round Roundup: Simmons nets hat trick to power Westminster; Visitation wins in double OT
When the ball found Sydney Simmons, it quickly found itself in the back of the net. Simmons scored three goals, each off rebounds while parked in the perfect location, as Westminster defeated Edwardsv...
metrosportsstl.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
FH: The Missouri State Field Hockey Tournament is underway and we’ve already seen spectacular performances and fantastic finishes. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/23/f...
FB: St. Dominic is known for its elaborate pre-snap motions, but its at-snap moments were just as deceptive on Monday. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/22/g...
'Giant' formation comes up huge for undefeated St. Dominic in win over MICDS
LADUE – Fifteen years ago, St. Dominic coach Blake Markway learned a new offensive formation while an assistant coach in Virginia. It involves two running backs, both with their hands extended, awaiti...
metrosportsstl.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
FB: St. Dominic is known for its elaborate pre-snap motions, but its at-snap moments were just as deceptive on Monday. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/22/g...
FB: With the running game stalled, Jack Donnelly followed the word stitched across the front of his jersey and led the Bombers to victory. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/13/l...
Long bomb propels John Burroughs to victory over Westminster in defensive slugfest
TOWN AND COUNTRY – Jack Donnelly looked at his wristband and realized this was the moment. The John Burroughs’ offense had punted on its previous six drives, but when the junior quarterback received i...
metrosportsstl.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:27 PM
FB: With the running game stalled, Jack Donnelly followed the word stitched across the front of his jersey and led the Bombers to victory. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/13/l...
CFB: Lindenwood moved to 2-0 in conference play with an impressive win over UT-Martin metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/08/c...
'Combative' Smith produces huge day as Lindenwood knocks off UT-Martin to remain undefeated in conference play
Jalen Smith was admitting defeat. Early in the season, when the Lindenwood wideout ran a route along the sideline, he allowed defenders to force him to the boundary and he did not battle for a contest...
metrosportsstl.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:05 PM
CFB: Lindenwood moved to 2-0 in conference play with an impressive win over UT-Martin metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/08/c...
FH: Field Hockey Phenoms Weeks 4-5. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/06/w...
Weeks 4-5: Field Hockey Phenoms
The third installment of Field Hockey Phenoms, sponsored by Athletic Republic, includes players who heated up during the middle portion of their field hockey schedule. These players helped their teams...
metrosportsstl.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
FH: Field Hockey Phenoms Weeks 4-5. metrosportsstl.com/2025/10/06/w...
FH: A great annual event keeps getting better. metrosportsstl.com/2025/09/30/v...
Villa Duchesne motors to victory over St. Joseph's with late goal in annual spirit game
MARYLAND HEIGHTS – Villa Duchesne senior Finley Meek circled the date in her planner prior to the season. The yearly field hockey matchup between St. Joseph’s and Villa Duchesne has evolved into a fes...
metrosportsstl.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
FH: A great annual event keeps getting better. metrosportsstl.com/2025/09/30/v...
