The Harvard soccer team, coming off a two week layoff, begins its uphill fight for the Ivy League title this morning when it faces Columbia in New York City. The Crimson, which has not lost to the Lions since 1950, is a solid favorite.

Columbia, which began its Ivy season Saturday with a 5-1 lots to Princeton, does not a serious threat to the Crimson, but Harvard needs a convincing win to build the confidence and momentum needed for crucial home encounters later in the season with Cornell Brown and defending champion Penn.

A disappointing showing today-such as a narrow win, coupled with any sort of serious injuries - might prove as damaging as a loss.

Injuries

Injuries have already clouded the picture for today's contest. Starting linkman Emmanuel Ekama, a vital man in the Harvard lineup, may have sustained a serious injury in practice Thursday when a teammate stepped on his heel. An immediate prognosis has not been made, but Ekama's ankle was sufficiently swollen Friday to present him from playing.

Fortunately, wing Demetrio Mean, who have been working at linkman in practice this week, will be able to fill in.

The last two weeks, considered particularly crucial to the Crimson's chances of catching Penn and Cornell, were not as productive as coach Bruce Munro would have liked. The layoff coupled with the rainout of the Alumm game -- valuable as a practice tune-up -- could make Harvard somewhat rusty.

Change of Formation

The Crimson used at 4-2-4 formation in its first two games, but it may switch to a 4-3-3 against Columbia, primarily to contain the Lion's top scoring threat, former Nigerian Olympian Emmanuel Osode.

"We'll play it by ear." Munro said yesterday. If Osode gives the Harvard defense problems, he said. Ric Lacivita, normally a fullback but with previous experience as a one-on-one marker, will move to halfback to contain Osode. Either Lawson Wulsin or Steve Mead will fill in at fullback.

Munro will also try some experiments on offense. Chris Papaganis has played well at right inside in practice, and will remain there instead of at his normal wing spot. Ron Padmoor will replace Papaganis on the outside.

Adedeji Switches

Fehx Adedeji, once again the Crimson's scoring leader with four gaols in the first two games, will begin his bid for a second straight. Ivy scoring title at a new position as well. Adedeji looked extremely comfortable at his new left wing position in the Williams game after switching from the inside.

Dragon Vujovic, who has the natural talent to augment this line extremely well, it still not ready to play an entire game after returning from Europe out of shape and a week late, but will see considerable action on the line.

Outside of Ekama, the team is healthy. Several players who played the Williams and MIT games despite colds or slight leg problems will be completely ready today. Both captain Rick Scott, who had a hamstring problem, and Bahman Mossavar Rahmani, hampered by a cold, are ready to play.

While Harvard meets Columbia, elsewhere in the Ivies. Penn faces Cornell at Ithaca in the week's biggest matchup. A Cornell upset could considerably scramble the league race.