Cliched Spirit works more wonders than its tired reputation admits. Yesterday's M.I.T. squad, like last year's played a loose, seldom coordinated game to beat a superior Harvard team with a spirit Harvard could not pass around.

Harvard dominated the first quarter as they had hoped to control the entire game, pressing an attack of short passes, and peppering the skillful M.I.T. goalie with crisp shots. Halfbacks John Felstiner, Tony Oberschall and Marsh Schwarz repeatedly picked up M.I.T. goal kicks, feeding the forwards with well-placed passes the defense could not gets its feet on.

The second quarter change of ends brought M.I.T.'s long, wind-driven kicks to bear on the weakened Harvard defense, which missed regular goalie Jim Perkins and fullback Chris Provensen, who injured his back in yesterday's practice. M.I.T.'s right inside scored his team's first goal when he toed a short, looping pass in front of the cage past goalie Tom Bagnoli.

The goal set M.I.T. off. Their long passes and intense, if occasionally penalized, drive forced Harvard's halfbacks to help fullbacks Lanny Keyes and Charlie Steele. This left Crimson forwards without the close support necessary to maintain a short passing game.

Loss of midfield control by Harvard's halfbacks made most of the second half a frustrating struggle for possession. M.I.T.'s forwards developed one fine scoring play in the third quarter. Their right inside and wing drove the ball past Harvard's defense, the right wing crossing the ball past unprotected Bagnoli into the left of the cage.

The Crimson's sharp passing gave way to vain booting as hard-fought play ranged aimlessly up and down the field. They gave up their tight, halfback-dominated game for M.I.T.'s wide-open brand of hopeful longshots and could not handle the underdog's spirited hustle.