The Harvard men's lacrosse team avoided a letdown, triumphing 13-10 at Springfield yesterday.

After a 9-8 loss to seventh-ranked Penn Saturday, which damaged the Crimson's chances for the Ivy title, the laxmen faced a potential letdown against the unranked Chiefs.

"It was tough playing this game, because it was between Penn last Saturday and Syracuse this Saturday," Harvard Coach Bob Scalese said. "It would be easy to werlook 4-0 Springfield."

The Chiefs, 19-7 losers to the Crimson a year ago boasted a much improved unit, which was more than willing to try to take advantage of Harvard's concern with the big games.

Paul Garavente settled the Cantaby early with a goal 30 seconds into the contest. The Penn game or perhaps the Crimson's upcoming encounter with the second-ranked Orangemen squad soon led Harvard to relay.

Springfield shook Harvard out of its stupor by taking a 5-3 lead 3-53 into the second period.

The Crimson came quickly back to life, when Tom Corcoran keyed, a three goal, 40-second barrage. Two more unanswered goals gave Harvard an 8-5 halftime lead.

Springfield doggedly fought back in the second half, narrowing the Crimson lead to one goal on two occasions. The laxmen however, held off the repeated Chief charges and never surrender their advantages.

Preservation

Harvard netted two late goals to preserve its lead and get away with a 13-10 triumph.

Chris Pujob and Rob Hawley led the way for the laxmen with six points apiece--Hawley on four goals and two assists, Pujols on two goals and four assists.

Garavente, who had been shut out in the Crimson's first four games, also scored four times.

THE NOTEBOOK: Pujob six-point effort upped his season team high total in goals (12), assets (12) and points (24) Goalie Mike Bergmann recorded 13 saves. The Syracuse contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Ohiri Field.