The Siena Heights men’s lacrosse team is on the verge of their best season in the program’s nine year history, and sophomore Danny Orr is at the focal point of it all.

Orr, a digital media major with a concentration in photography and film, has served as a lethal threat for the Saints on offense. He was recently named the NAIA Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of April.

“I never had an accolade like that,” Orr said, “so it was a pretty special moment. I was kind of shocked when I won it.”

Last year in his freshman season, Orr’s 57 points was second highest on the team, which included 23 goals and 15 assists. This year, his numbers are expected to be even higher as the Saints find themselves competing for both the NAIA and MCLA national championship.

The men’s lacrosse team, currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA and No. 10 in MCLA, are 8-3 on the year, which includes a six-game winning streak following a 2-3 start.

“We started off the season playing really high-quality caliber teams,” Orr said about the slow start. “We have some younger kids on the team, but once they figured out the speed and pace of the game, they got much more comfortable, and we started winning against even better teams.”

According to Orr, the turning point of the season came in the Saints’ 9-8 victory over then MCLA sixth-ranked Grand Valley State. Orr had four goals that game, and it marked the second straight win in the current six-game winning streak for the team.

Said Orr, “That was probably the biggest win in Siena Heights lacrosse history, just because of how competitive we are whenever we play Grand Valley. It’s hard to explain the emotions when we were out there, but every goal that went in we were just going crazy for.”

“It’s always a good matchup and we hate each other both on and off the field, so that always makes the game even better to play.”

The Saints only have two regular season games remaining before postseason play, beginning with the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference championship tournament, where the Saints will likely have a chance to avenge their 10-9 loss to conference rival Davenport from earlier in the year.

“We’re looking for redemption against Davenport,” Orr said. “I think we can beat them for sure when we play them again.”

With the men’s lacrosse season approaching the home stretch, Orr claims it is the team’s outstanding chemistry that has brought them this far and will be key in their national championship aspirations.

“We need to make sure the team chemistry continues to be there when we play on the field,” Orr said. “Our team chemistry was definitely good last year, but there is something about this year that is just clicking for everyone.”

Postseason play begins April 20 with the WHAC championship at Davenport.