Goalie Nat Bowditch was seriously injured Saturday as the varsity soccer team defeated Columbia 3 to 1 on the Business School Field.

Bowditch, who had allowed only one goal all season, was kicked in the eye by a Columbia attacker during a melee the third period. He was taken to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for hemorrhages behind the eyeball. There is no indication yet how long he be out.

The Crimson victory didn't come easily. Erratic passing during the first two quarters by Harvard's line and halfbacks gave an alert, hustling Columbia team chance after chance at scores.

Only good defense by fullbacks Karl Lunkheimer and Tony Marks, some sparkling saves by Bowditch, and an extra chunk of luck gave the Crimson a 1-0 at the half. Harvard had scored with less than five minutes gone in the game when Charles Njoku knocked in a rebound.

In the opening minutes of the third quarter, Columbia, led by center half Justine Malewezi, beat the Crimson to almost every loose ball and kept constant pressure on the Crimson defense.

On the same play that Bowditch was hurt a Harvard defender prevented a Columbia goal by knocking the ball aside with his hand. Malewezi easily scored on the penalty shot.

Columbia kept up their attack. Malewezi got off three hard shots which Rick Hammond, Bowditch's substitute caught beautifully. Harvard's offense started moving the ball a bit, but missed several opportunities by being outhustled by the Columbia fullbacks.

Led by center halfback Onwechekwa Okigwe, Harvard finally came alive in the fourth period. Andy Kydes stole a Malewezi dribble at midfield and flipped it up to Jim Saltonstall. Salty passed out to Njoku who was trapped as he angled in for a shot. Njoku recovered nicely, threading a pass back to Saltonstall. He slammed it in to put Harvard back in the lead.