Title Hopes Destroyed Tough Brown Stickmen Outplay Crimson, 15-9

Harvard fell behind, 4-0, early in yesterday's lacrosse game at Brown and, despite a couple of outstanding individual performances, was unable to mount a comeback and lost, 15-9. The defeat virtually eliminates the Crimson from the Ivy League title race.

For almost three quarters. Harvard threatened to tie the score. But when goalie John Cosentino left the game with an injury in the fourth period, chances of a comeback dimmed: and Brown subsequently added five insurance goals.

"They beat us in the midfield." coach Bruce Munro said afterwards. Crimson players had difficulty picking up ground balls, and their passing in the center of the field was a sad sight when compared to Brown's.

Second-team All-American attack man John Ince was spectacular, however. He collected five goals and two assists, many of them coming at crucial times to bring the Crimson within a goal or two of the Bruins, who lead the league with a 4-0 record.

Consentino Outstanding

Cosentino was also outstanding yesterday. "It was one of the best performances by a goalie I've ever seen," said defensive coach Dan Caulderwood. Cosentino made 29 saves, many of them incredible, to keep Brown's exceptional attack from turning the game into a rout.

But late in the third period, he aggravated a groin injury which had bothered him last week. He stayed in for awhile, but then came out and was replaced by Brian Landry. Cosentino returned after being taped up, but had to leave again because of the pain. It is not known if he will be able to play Saturday against Princeton.

The Harvard defense, faced with the touch task of checking Brown's scoring attack, was weakened early in the game because of a calf injury which slowed down Don Gogel and which eventually forced him out of the game in the second period.

Only 12 of the Crimson's 28 clearing attempts were successful, while Brown usually cleared with ease.

Harvard was behind after only 41 seconds of play when Gogel accidentally passed to Brown's Bob Scalise in front of the Crimson oage, and Scalise scored. He ended the day with six goals and one assist.

Trading Goals

The Bruins put in three more shots before Ince finally got the first Harvard goal on a pass from Phil Zuckerman at 13:35 of the opening period. The Crimson maintained momentum for another few minutes, and Cle Landolt narrowed the lead to 4-2.

The two teams traded goals in the second period, and with seven minutes left before halftime, Ince took the ball from a Brown defenseman trying to clear, broke toward the cage, and fired in a high shot to bring Harvard within a goal, 6-5.

But Dean Rollins, all alone 12 yards in front of Cosentino, put in a goal moments later to give the Bruins a 7-5 halftime lead.

During the third quarter, the gap between the teams was generally three goals until Brown ran up the score in the final 15 minutes of the game.