Despite getting out a fast start and playing its strongest lacrosse of the season in the first quarter, the Harvard men's lacrosse team fell to Ivy League rival Brown yesterday 10-7 at Ohiri Field.

The Crimson (3-5, 1-2 at Ivy) led 6-3 at the half, but allowed five unanswered goals in the third quarter that proved insurmountable. BROWN  10 HARVARD  7

Sophomore Roger Buttle led Harvard with two goals and assist, while junior Lawson DeVries also contributed two goals and junior Geoff Watson registered two assists.

Jed DeWick and Michael Monfett led Brown, scoring three goals each for the day. Brown also made better use of penalty opportunities, scoring on 3-of-6 opportunities, whereas Harvard only converted 1-of-5.

"It was a game of two halves," Harvard Coach Scott Anderson said. "We played well in the first, but didn't do what we talked about for the second Penalties, turnovers, and lack of possession mane the difference."

Harvard got out to a fast start behind a patient and well-balanced offensive attack. Sophomore Adam McGown won the opening face-off, which set up a quick tally by Buttles.

Minutes later, freshman standout Michael Baly scored an unassisted goal, showing his characteristic quickness by shaking off a defender in the crease.

Buttles kept the momentum going for Harvard, setting up DeVries for the third Crimson goal of the quarter.

Harvard dominated play throughout the first frame, with captain Ethan Oberman and Jeff Psaki leading a defense that held Brown to only four shots.

Brown's only offensive success came on a Harvard penalty late in the quarter, but Watson answered back with a buzzer-beating goal to give the Crimson a 4-1 lead after the first quarter.

"The first quarter was the best lacrosse we've played all year," Watson said.

The second quarter was more balanced, with both teams scoring two goals. Brown built momentum early on, scoring two consecutive goals off some nifty passing and last breaks.

After Todd McNamara scored make it 4-2, Monefett scored his first of the day, finishing a sweet feed from brown's leading scorer Rob Lyle close to 4-3.

But sophomore goalkeeper Keith Cynar (18 saves) kept the bear attack at bay. Entering the contest, Cynar held the nation's third-best goals against average at .658.

Harvard fought back from the Brown rally with two goals of its own to increase its lead to 6-3. Buttles zipped a low shot past Brown keeper Strider Dickson (19 saves) off an assist from Watson. McGown scored unassisted with three minutes left, fighting his way through traffic to send Harvard into the half up three.