Racquetmen Take on Bulldogs In Key Season Finale Today

The final showdown for the intercollegiate squash title begins today as Harvard's once-beaten racquetmen take on Yale in New Haven.

Harvard and Princeton--the two contenders--have identifical records, so the crown will be awarded on the basis of comparative scores against common opponents. Harvard must score at least two points more in today's match than Princeton scores in its match on Thursday against Dartmouth, in order to grab a share of the title.

In order to have any realistic chance, Harvard must beat Yale 9-0. Yale has been a contender for the Ivy squash cellar all season long, and won only one of 28 games while being shut out by Princeton Saturday.

Harvard squash coach Jack Barnaby said yesterday that he expects his team will also shut out the Elis. "The guys will know how important each match is. I just hope they won't be bothered by the long bus ride to New Haven," he said.

The Crimson line-up will be identical to the one used most of the season, except for the possible absence of virus-stricken Arch Gwathmey, the team's number-four player. If Gwathmey does not compete, everyone in the lower half of the ladder will move up one notch, and Cass Sunstein will play number nine.

Yale, which has a 2-3 Ivy record coming into today's match, has been led all year by junior Seth Walworth. Sophomore Derrick Niederman, juniors Dierik Finne and Steve Sherrill and captain Chris White round out the top five on the young Eli squad. Yale was shut out by both Princeton and Penn and lost 7-2 to Dartmouth, a team that Harvard topped 7-2.

Barnaby said yesterday that Dartmouth could give Princeton real trouble on Thursday.