NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A Yale University sophomore from Maryland was killed during an apparent robbery attempt on a quiet street near the center of campus early yesterday, police said.

The student, Christian H. Prince, 19, of Chevy Chase, died of a single gunshot wound to the chest shortly before 1:15 a.m., said Cmdr. J. Thomas Butler of the New Haven police.

He was apparently walking from a party to his off-campus apartmentwhen he was attacked on Hillhouse Street, a well-lighted, two-lane road which is lined with Yale buildings.

A varsity lacrosse player, Mr. Prince was returning to his off-campus home about 1 a.m. to get some sleep before a pre-season practice, a friend, Yale junior Gregg Miller, said.