The lonely grey-beards who comb sports statistics in places like Podunk, Kansas, are not apt to be upset by the Crimson lacrosse team's ninth place rating in New England, but it is with the stigma that the stickmen journey to New Hampshire today for an all-important tilt with fourth-ranked Dartmouth.

Despite its 10-8 upset triumph over nationally 19th-rated Princeton last Saturday, Harvard (2-9) climbed only one rung in the standings. The Tigers trimmed the Big Green, 7-5, on April 28, and that close margin and the fact that the Green are clinging to a playoff berth indicate a tough contest this afternoon.

"This is a game we ought to be in. If we play the way we did against Princeton, we should beat them," coach Bruce Munro said yesterday.

Munro tabbed Dartmouth's goalie and attack as the strongest spots in the opposing lineup, and noted that its midfield consists of refugee football players.

While Harvard's 6.5 goal per game average is not the stuff of headlines, Dartmouth's output is similar, and is not characterized by the presence of any big guns.

Attackman Scott Anderson leads Big Green scoring with 16 goals and 5 assists, midfielder John Lyons is next with 13 goals and 2 assists, attackman Dick Gamper follows with 9 goals and 5 assists, and middy Dave Cranshaw boasts 8 goals and 5 assists.

On the Crimson lists, attackman John Hagerty is on top with 27 goals and 5 assists, with no other scorer in sight.

"Our offense has been getting better and better. The midfield has been getting better because we've had the same guys together for the last couple of games," Munro said. He noted that middy appearances at practice and in uniform had previously been erratic.

Missing from today's action will be back-up defender Larry Uhl, whose absence will leave only one reserve, Tom Scott. Otherwise, the starting roster will remain the same.

If the Crimson subdues Dartmouth, and Yale this Saturday, its four-game streak will better its '72 record from 3-8, to 4-9, and if the rankings are truer, will launch the squad into the playoffs.