Step one of two-for the Terriers will take in their push for first place in America East comes tonight, when the Boston University men’s soccer team welcomes the University of New Hampshire to Nickerson Field in the final home game of the season.

Home has been nothing short of sweet for the Terriers (9-5-2, 3-1-2 America East), who have compiled a 6-1-0 record on Nickerson before hosting the Wildcats (5-4-6, 2-1-3) tonight.

Riding a six-game unbeaten streak, BU has duplicated the explosive offensive production responsible for the Terriers’ occasional successes in the mediocre first half of the season. But now, BU’s added the strength of its stingy defense.

The defensive unit, which has surrendered five goals in the past six games, is bolstered by senior Derek Puerta, who doesn’t want tonight to be his last appearance on Nickerson turf. Puerta leads a vocal back four that has rallied around the team’s unstable goalkeeping position. The Terriers, who were forced to play without sophomore keeper Hrafn Davidsson (foot injury) for more than two weeks, started redshirt sophomore Joe Cullaro in his place.

Cullaro has shined in net for the Terriers since his Oct. 10 debut, with a 0.72 goals-against average. Aided by a defense that kept opponents at bay for most of his starts, Cullaro relied on quick reflexes and agile lateral mobility to spark BU’s current 5-0-1 run.

But with Davidsson’s foot at around 95 percent healthy, the Terriers have finally restored the opening-day lineup that dropped its first contest to Boston College nearly two months ago.

Davidsson, who was statistically mediocre in his return to the field Saturday, brought the vocal and aggressive style of play that landed him the opening-day job.

Whether his return improved the BU defense or simply underscored how far it has come since his foot injury, Davidsson’s agility will be tested tonight against a strong New Hampshire front that features three forwards with more than five goals each.

If the Terriers are able to solidify their transition game — the same transition game that’s led to two goals in five of the team’s last six games — the chances of New Hampshire blindsiding Davidsson with one-on-one opportunities will be slim.

Focusing on the matchup, it’s the necessity of the Terrier defenders to clear bouncing balls in front of Davidsson out of the 18-yard box.

While BU’s five goals allowed over the last six games is a relatively promising statistic, all five of those marks have come on loose rebounds inside the six-yard box.

If the defense is able to clear the ball effectively and place it on the feet of junior midfielder Neil Hlavaty in the center of the field, step one on the road to the top of the America East will be complete, and the Terriers will be in a great position to take the regular season title entering Saturday’s season finale at the University of Vermont.