Harvard played exceptional, consistent lacrosse Saturday and got superb goaltending from substitute Kirby Wilcox to down Princeton, 12-7, on the Business School field. It was the Crimson's third straight victory over the Tigers after having gone 43 years without a win.

"The team wasn't all psyched up before the game; we just went out to have fun," captain Bruce Regan said Saturday night at Quincy's grease-up dinner.

The Crimson's consistency was reflected in the scoring. Harvard put in three goals in each quarter. John Ince tallied three times, and three teammates-Cle Landolt, Rick Frisbie. and Regan-each scored twice. Phil Zuckerman had four assists.

Wilcox was filling in, after two days of practice, for John Cosentino and Brian Landry, both of whom were injured last week. He made 23 saves, once stopping three shots fired at him in rapid succession, earning loud applause from the crowd. Wilcox also cleared with success.

"I was exhausted." Wilcox said, "but I had a good time."

There was no apparent weakness any where in the Crimson effort. Coach Bruce Munro rotated three midfield lines, all of which played well. The attack kept steady pressure on the Tiger defuse with some well organized plays and sharp passing. The defense, playing most of the game without the injured Don Gogel, had occasional trouble stopping Tiger drives, but generally cleared nicely.

A clear by Bill Bennett led to the first goal. He passed to Phil Zuckerman. who went behind the net and fed Ince cutting across the goal five yards in from of goalie Will Reynolds.

Bobby Bordley and Dick Beard put Princeton ahead for the first and last time within the next six minutes on a quickstick at the crease and a long ground shot after a successful ride.

But when Leif Rosenberger wet into the air to guide another Zuckerman pass by Reynolds, who had come out to meet him. Harvard took control and never relinquished the lead.

Ince scored the next two goals. one unassisted and the other on the same play which netted Harvard's first goal.

The Crimson worked a nice man-up play late in the half after Princeton's Mike Bigby had gone out for slashing. Harvard worked it around quickly until Landolt quick stacked in a feed from Ince for a 6-3 halftime advantage. Reynolds had no chance.

Harvard refused to let up during the second half, and only occasionally did it appear that the Tigers might mount a rally to tie or win the game.