The No. 18 Boston University field hockey team will look to rebound from its one-goal loss to Temple University last weekend, as the Terriers return home to Jack Barry Field to take on No. 10 Michigan State University tomorrow before facing Northeastern University Sunday.

Its first home game of the year, tomorrow’s contest will give BU coach Sally Starr and the Terriers (2-1) a chance to evaluate their progress against a nationally ranked team.

“I do believe that they are one of the top teams in the country,” Starr said of the Spartans. “We are excited to have the opportunity to see where we are and see how well we are progressing.”

Michigan State (3-1) is reeling from its first loss of the season — a 3-1 setback at the hands of Syracuse University last weekend.

But with senior back Geraldine Raynor, a native of Maronoera, Zimbabwe, leading an athletic, skilled and confident international front, the Spartans match up well against BU’s back four.

“I’m expecting a very talented, well-coached team going in,” Starr said. “They have quite a few international players who are outstanding. They are all very skilled, and they are technically and tactically sound.”

For senior tri-captain Lizzie Perreault and the Terrier backfield, slowing down the Spartan attack will be a matter of how well they continue to keep their poise in front of sophomore goalie Kim Kastuk.

So far this year, Perreault and fellow seniors Haley Robinson and Holly Wiles have developed their chemistry in an effort to work as one.

Tomorrow should reveal just how well the four anchors have developed their communication and understanding of each other’s tendencies.

“We need to be patient and make sure we match up correctly when they push into [our defensive end],” Starr said. “We are going to have to make sure we contain them and stay balanced. You can be aggressive, but not so much that you eliminate the containment.”

While every team has its share of weapons, Starr stressed that for the Spartans to dissect BU’s defense, they’ll have to earn their chances.

“That’s something every team has. Every team has quality players,” Starr said. “But working in a game like this, you need to make sure that they have to make a great play to beat you. We have to be patient and athletic to contain them.”

Tomorrow’s match will be a test in patience, and while Starr does not want to look past Michigan State, she understands Sunday’s contest will be fast-paced.

Coming into this season, Northeastern (2-2) is looking to rebound from a disappointing 9-12 season in which it struggled to a 4-4 record in Colonial Athletic Association play. This year, however, the Huskies return with most of their starting lineup intact.

Hungry for a breakout season, Northeastern will visit Jack Barry Field with the goal of controlling the pace of play.

“Northeastern is another team that has improved from last year,” Starr said. “They are hungry. The BU-Northeastern game is highly competitive, and I’m not expecting anything different for [Sunday].”

To manipulate a Husky defense that has allowed four goals all season, Starr will look for Nikki Lloyd and senior midfielder Gabby Hajjar to push BU’s high-speed attack.

“We have to keep the ball moving and get to the open spots,” Starr said.

But with the Michigan State bout hanging in the balance, setting a specific gameplan for Sunday is something Starr has purposefully overlooked.

“Its hard to say what is going to happen with Michigan State,” Starr said. “Obviously we’d love to have some momentum and confidence going in, but our focus is on Michigan State and breaking down that tape. Perhaps [today] we’ll take a look at Northeastern, but for now we’re keeping our eye on Michigan State.”