The University of Denver men’s lacrosse team is currently on a five-game winning streak after opening its season with two disappointing losses to Towson and North Carolina.

The team started its season ranked No. 17 in the nation and was primed to move up in the standings.

But after the slow start the Pioneers have since fallen in the ranks and are currently ranked No. 19.

The team’s five-game winning streak includes a huge non-conference win against Harvard with the winning goal coming with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter from sophomore attack man Brandon Barcus.

The win over Harvard put the Pioneers at 5-2 on the season as they headed into conference play at No. 9 Notre Dame last Thursday.

Notre Dame owns the all-time series between the two teams 9-1, but the Pioneers knocked off the Fighting Irish 9-6.

This was the first time the Pioneers defeated Notre Dame.

“Notre Dame and Ohio State are going to be the biggest conference games that we will play this season, because making the tournament could come down to those two games,” said sophomore defenseman David Hahn.

However, the Pioneers need conference wins in order to make the NCAA tournament, a feat that they failed to do last year after losing their final conference game to Ohio State by one goal.

“Team chemistry is a lot better off the field, which gives us better results on the field,” said Hahn.

The recent wins can be attributed to outstanding play from returning starters Matt Brown and Greer Hanlon.

Brown has tallied 20 goals and three assists this season, leading his team in points.

Hanlon has 15 points on the season with 10 goals and five assists. Other players have also stepped up this season including freshman attack man Brett Koll, who has had important goals in three of the Pioneers’ last five wins. He has elevated his season total to 14 points with 8 goals and 6 assists.

The offense has been clicking and has outscored opponents 84-56.

The defense has also improved this season, only allowing three goals in the win over Lafayette University.

The Pioneers also are looking forward to playing No. 3 Virginia later this season.

The Pioneers upset the Cavaliers last year during the annual Pioneer Classic 9-7, and are looking forward to doing it again as it will be the last ranked team that they will play on their schedule.

“We just have to execute and stick to the game plan in those two games. As long as we execute and stay persistent we have a good chance at winning them both,” said Hahn.

Yale and Virginia are the final stops on the three-game road trip before returning home to play longtime rivals Ohio State, Butler and Air Force.

The Pioneers finish their regular season with a trip to Fairfield.

The team is focused on its goal to make the NCAA tournament this year and have another successful season under the helm of Head Coach Jamie Munro.

He led the Pioneers to three winning seasons after DU turned Division I in 1999.