Braden Erksa was always a staple at FAST. Him and his brother were some of the first kids to ever walk through the doors at the FAST facility. Braden always loved the game of lacrosse and his passion for the sport never wavered.
He showed flashes of real skill early on but it was his hard work, consistency and determination that has seen his abilities reach the peak of the collegiate game. Day in and out Braden worked with Coach Chris at FAST to develop his reaction time, his explosive speed, skill and strength. His work in the gym combined with an amazing travel program and parents who believed in him he was able to reach his life long dream of being a Maryland Terp.
Check out this overtime thriller at Ohio State where Braden scored the game winner in double overtime. https://twitter.com/TerpsMLax/status/1651305424564387867/video/2
Now we know Braden is a phenomenal player but nobody could have foreseen the Freshman season that he has put up. From the word GO he has put on a show and shown leadership qualities well beyond his years. Opening up with his first collegiate game he was able to score 3 goals and the stats have been rolling in ever since. His consistency all year and unparalleled play led to Braden earning the coveted Big 10 Freshman of the Year Award. We will be watching this post season but we have a feeling Braden is going to be a real problem for the other opponents.
Braden Erksa 2023 Freshman Highlights:
As a freshman in 2023:
• Has scored at least one point in all 10 games since moving into the starting lineup at attack.
• Career high five points on a career-best tying four goals and one assist in 12-11 loss to #7 Johns Hopkins (4/22).
• Also had three groundballs vs. the Blue Jays.
• Scored the game-winning goal for second straight week and tied his career high with three assists in 11-8 win at #10 Rutgers (4/16).
• Also had two groundballs and a caused turnover vs. the Scarlet Knights.
• Scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in 12-11 OT win at #19 Ohio State (4/7).
• Three goals, one assist and one groundball in 16-11 loss to Michigan (4/1).
• One assist and one groundball in 13-10 win vs. #9 Penn State (3/25).
• Two goals and an assist with three groundballs in 14-13 OT win at #1 Virginia (3/18).
• Career-bests with four goals, five groundballs and a caused turnover in 16-9 win at Albany (3/11).
• Career-best three assists and two groundballs in 13-12 3OT loss to #2 Notre Dame (3/4).
• Two assists with one groundball in 11-5 win at #4 Princeton (2/25).
• One assist and two groundballs in first career start in 15-12 win over #16 Syracuse (2/18).
• Two goals on just two shots, one assist, and one ground ball in collegiate debut in win over #19 Richmond (2/4).
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