HANOVER, N.H., May 12--Harvard's crack lacrosse team roared back from a three-goal deficit to whip Dartmouth, 8 to 3, in a driving rain today on Memorial Field. In beating the Indians for the first time in 14 years, the Crimson virtually clinched the New England League crown with six straight wins--seventh since its unofficial spring trip.

The Crimson looked as bad as the weather in the first period, performing with an utter disregard for the cardinal lacrosse rule of teamwork. Meanwhile, Dartmouth, led by attackman Md Lyon, unleashed a goal-a-minute barrage against unprotected goalie, Syd Clark.

But Harvard had not come to the Hanover hills to lose this ball game. Responding with almost fanatic zeal to the Big Green's challenge, the Crimson proceeded to play the tiring Indians off their collective feet. In fact after its initial foray the Green was able to take only a couple of shots at Clark, so successful was Harvard's defense and midfields at riding the Indians up and down the soggy turf.

There Kelly initiated the Crimson's comeback at three minutes of the second period when he cut in fast and took a high shot at goalie Al Fiertz. Eight minutes later Moe Baldwin wound up and belted the ball 60 feet along the ground into the cage, past a very startled Fiertz.

The Crimson was one goal down at the half, but it was simply a matter of time before Harvard's scoring would match its improving play. Captain Rick Hudner tied up the game with his sharp angle shot as the second half began, and from then on the winners played their own ball game.

Midfielders Post, Rip Lynch, and Ed Thayer and attackmen Hudner and Baldwin played some of their best ball to date, and Clark turned in a brilliant clearing job.

The Dartmouth freshmen trampled the Yardlings, 12 to 8.

First period: Lyon (unassisted) (D), 0:16; Quimby (Bloomer), 1:10; Lyon (unassisted) (D), 3:26.

Second period: Kelly (unassisted), 3:30; Baldwin (unassisted), 11:04.

Third period: Hudner (unassisted), 3:03; Post (Baldwin), 13:29.

Fourth period: Waring (Plissner), 0:50; Hudner (unassisted), 3:32; Thayer (Baldwin), 9:14; Baldwin (Thayer), 9:22.