The third and fourth-ranked lacrosse teams in New England will meet today when Harvard hosts UMass at 3 p. m. on the Business School field.

This is the first year that New England has ranked its teams, and the standings are important since the top team will probably represent District I in the first annual NCAA lacrosse championships.

But the closeness of Harvard and UMass in the rankings may be deceptive. The Redmen had been strong enough to go undefeated in this area for almost two years before being soundly beaten by the Crimson, 12-6, last April. Neither team appears to be appreciably better or worse this year.

Balanced Offense

UMass is relying on a more balanced offense now since the nation's leading scorer in 1969, Tom Malone, has graduated. Attackmen Paul Ritch and Charlie Hardy and midfielder Phil Sheridan are the three top scorers this year.

Tri-captain Al Ruggiano and second-year goalie Bruce Crawford lead the Redmen's defense. Among their tasks will be stopping Cle Landolt, who collected three goals against them last year.

UMass coach Dick Garber feels his team has a different character this year. He says that his team is smaller physically than usual, but is quicker and more skillful. In the past, the Redmen have often been big, aggressive ex-football players.

So far, UMass has coasted to two wins, crushing Middlebury, 13-5, and Tufts, 24-1. Neither Middlebury nor Tufts is noted for fielding a powerful attack.

Harvard will be trying to climb over 500 again after last weekend's loss to Cornell. Now 1-1 in the Ivy League, the Crimson will play two non-league opponents this week before facing Brown and Princeton in crucial games the following week.