Salisbury's Bradman tutored by predecessor
Thursday’s edition of The Sun included a feature on sophomore midfielder Sam Bradman, who has been one of the key ingredients in Salisbury returning to the NCAA Division III Tournament final for the 12th time in 20 years.
Bradman appears to be following in the footsteps of former Sea Gull Kylor Berkman, who became the first player in Division III history to be named the National Midfielder of the Year three times and in three consecutive years.
Bradman fondly recalled his days playing alongside Berkman.
"As a freshman, he just led me along the way and taught me how to be a college lacrosse player," Bradman said. "He taught me the Salisbury way of lacrosse on offense and just embedded it in my head. He told me I’d have to take over his spot next year. He just pointed me in the right direction."
When Berkman graduated last May, the torch was passed to Bradman, who has responded by leading the team in both goals (58) and points (85) this season.
Bradman said he anticipated the high expectations placed upon him.
"I knew I had some big shoes to fill in the beginning, but I came in and felt sort of relaxed," he said. "I think this team is more team-oriented, and we play a lot better together. But I did surprise myself a little."
Coach Jim Berkman, Kylor’s father, said he has tried to be patient with Bradman, who seemed content to play a backup role to his more veteran teammates last season.
"Kylor went through the same thing when he was a freshman," Berkman said. "He was one of our best players, but he didn’t shoot enough, didn’t go to the goal enough. It was that you’re kind of in the mix, and you’ve got a couple upperclassmen that are good, and you don’t want to rock the boat and you’re trying to fit in. I told Sam before the season that he’s got to step it up. It was more of a mental thing more than anything. It was, ‘Hey, you’re our guy now. You’ve got the green light. I’m going to be yelling at you when you don’t shoot and when you don’t go to the goal. You’re out there to make things happen and make plays.’ He’s that kind of guy like Kylor was for three years, and he’s definitely done that so far. And when he does that, he makes everyone around him better. He gives everyone a step, and teams are sliding to him and poling him. And when he’s getting poled, that gives everybody else a little more time and room. So he’s playing the way I thought he was capable of playing."
