The battered varsity lacrosse team plays its first home game of the season at 3 p.m. today when it hosts M.I.T., and the Crimson may have more trouble than usual due to its beleaguered condition and improvement by the Engineers.

Harvard has had great success against M.I.T. in the past, including an 18-1 thumping last year, but coach Bruce Munro yesterday voiced caution. "M.I.T. has a better team than usual, and in our decimated condition, we're expecting to have trouble," Munro said.

The Crimson coach is certain that captain Tom Nicosia and Pete Barber will be unable to play because of injuries, and he also doubts that goalie Kirby Wilcox, midfielder Bruce Regan, and defenseman Don Gogel will see action.

If Regan cannot play, Charlie Ames or Gordy Grand will probably take his place on the first line with Paul Bloom and Jim Kilkowski. Both Ames and Grand only recently began practicing.

Gogel was being used as a replacement for Bob McDowell, who was injured on the trip. If neither Gogel nor McDowell is ready to return to action, Munro will use Brian Landry. The only regular starter on defense still healthy is All-Ivy selection Mike Ananis. Filling in for Barber is Bill Bennett, captain of last year's freshman team. Wilcox's replacement in goal is Ely Kahn.

Attackman Cle Landolt, high scorer on the Spring trip, is still bothered by sore ribs, but will be starting with linemates Phil Zuckerman and John Ince, top goalgetter in the league last spring.

M.I.T. finished its spring tour with a 2-2 record. The Engineers lost to Horstra 15-8, and to C. W. Post, 13-6, while downing Adelphi, 7-2, and Loyola, 10-9. The Crimson earned its only victory during its trip by clubbing C. W. Post, 14-6, in its opener. But since that win Harvard has been hit by injuries, so comparative scores in this case are not really reliable.

The Engineers have 12 returning lettermen, including scoring threats Walt Maling and Ken Schwartz. M.I.T. also has an injury problem, however. Talented sophomore attackman Ken Lord has pulled a tendon and will be out for the season.