Like any program starting from scratch, Boston University simply wanted to collect as many players as it could for its initial signing class in 2013.

To create a consistent contender, though, there had to be something to stack on top of it. And the Terriers ultimately found it in their 2015 signees, who weren’t the program’s initial trailblazers but did primarily commit before the program’s first game in 2014.

That 15-man class is down to 10, but they’ve helped provide the stability to allow the Terriers to bolt to a 5-1 start and emerge as an intriguing Patriot League contender as they head into their conference opener Saturday at Colgate.

“The focus in building the program was focused on this 2015 class,” coach Ryan Polley said. “And they haven’t disappointed, between James Burr, a four-year starter, and Brendan Homire, who is having a fantastic year, and certainly the leadership these guys have brought to our team. It’s the best culture team since I’ve been here, and a lot of that has to go toward the seniors.”

BU rewarded Homire two days ago by naming him a team captain. He joined Burr, Quintin Germain and Michael Laviano — all members of this program-defining senior class — as part of the Terriers’ leadership group.

The continued development of sophomore attackman Chris Gray has helped, too. He had 31 goals and a program-record 40 assists last season, earning Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors.

After the graduation of Jack Wilson, Gray has the ball in his stick far more often in 2019, and it’s led to an impressive start. Gray already has 17 goals and 22 assists; his 6.5 points per game rank fourth nationally behind Penn State’s Grant Ament (7.4), Loyola’s Pat Spencer (7.4) and Princeton’s Michael Sowers (6.75).

“A majority of our offense runs through him, whether in transition or offensive sets,” Polley said. “We expect that on almost every possession that he gets one touch because he’s so good at making everyone else around him better. … In practice, as a coach you see it and then the player sees it, and sometimes he can make a play and sometimes he’s a little too late. Frankly, Chris sometimes sees it before the coach.”

The blend of leadership and productive underclassmen has allowed Boston University to churn out another impressive start. The Terriers are one of the country’s more quietly consistent programs. They’ve had a winning record after six games in each of the last five years, and they’ve averaged 9.3 victories over the last three seasons.

Boston University, whose lone loss was Feb. 9 at Ohio State, is searching for its first NCAA tournament berth, something Polley is optimistic could come this spring thanks to his team’s leadership.

“The ‘15s were asked to come in and buy into this vision,” Polley said. “The goal was by the time they were here, we would be playing some [important] games, and it’s kind of come to fruition. I’m hopeful this group can get us over that next step and make a conference final or get an at-large bid and really cement us as one of the top 15 or top 12 teams that gets into the NCAA tournament.”