Eric Slingerland - 2009

Eric came to Exeter as a 9th grader and was one of the rare 9th graders to not only make the varsity team, but to be an immediate starter and impact player. He ran on the 1st midfield line and his incredible athleticism, stamina, skill, and determination were evident even at a young age. Due to a season ending injury that year, he played in only 12 games, but still managed 12 goals and 5 assists. As a sophomore, his status as one of the top midfielders in New England was already known, and his 15 goals and 17 assists helped lead Exeter to a 13-4 record. This included an amazing 6 goal, 1 assist game-ball winning performance against Western powerhouse Avon Old Farms. In his 11th grade year, Eric had already been heavily recruited by many DI programs and verbally committed to Georgetown University. Nobody was surprised when Eric had a dominant 11th grade season and was perhaps the best all around midfielder in the New England prep ranks. Despite being poled and double-teamed every game, Eric scored 40 goals along with 21 assists for easily the best overall offensive year by a midfielder in the 75 year history of Exeter lacrosse. He helped lead a very young offense to a 10- goal-per-game average and a 12-4 record. He earned another game ball with his 4 goal, 1 assist effort in the 7-5 win over Nobles, and he could easily have been given additional game balls in almost every win.