Princeton combined a smooth-passing attack and a tenacious defense to trounce the varsity lacrosse team, 12-7, at the Business School Field Saturday afternoon.

The loss was the Crimson's first in three Ivy League games, and just about smashed its hope for the championship. The Tigers are unbeaten in three games and appear headed for their sixth staight Ivy title.

Harvard seemed tense as it took the field for the vital game. Eighteen seconds after the face-off it was a goal behind as Princeton captain Phil Allen slamed a hard shot past goalie Gil Leaf. That was only the beginning.

With the Crimson still unable to unwind, Gray Henry put the Tigers two up at 2:12. Lou Williams, one of the nation's top scorers, finally put the Crimson into the scoring column at 9:51 by converting a pass from Grady Watts.

Princeton came roaring back--quick goals by Bob Kent and Allen made the score 4-1 at the quarter. In the second period Ernie Dreher upped the Tiger edge to 5-1 but Joe Prahl scored for Haredge to 5-1 but Joe Prahl scored for Harvard to make it 5-2. With time running out in the half, Allen slipped through the Crimson defenses. He scored with 30 seconds remaining to push the Tiger lead to four goals, 6-2.

For all intents and purposes that was the ball game. The Tigers poured it on in the third period and lengthened their lead to 10-3 before midfielder Wally Whitney, who was outstanding all afternoon, scored for the home forces.

The clear difference in the game was the functioning of the attack patterns. The Tigers worked smoothly and quickly around the cage and peppered goalie Leaf, (who didn't have a very good day,) with numerous shots.

The Crimson attack was stymied by the princeton defense which covered Williams and Watts like a blanket. The midfielders were nuwilling or unable to pick up the slack and move in to shoot them selves, and the result was let' argic, ineffective offense.

In addition, Tiger goalie Webb Harrison was outstanding, stopping several "sure shot" by Williams and Harris Leroy among others.