Since arriving in College Park in June 2010, John Tillman has often spoken about the significance of representing the flagship university of a lacrosse-crazed state. He’s used words like honor, respect and privilege to describe his team’s opportunity to don the red and gold.

So when a fight broke out during the waning moments of the No. 9 Terps’ 11-10 loss at No. 12 North Carolina on Saturday, the Terrapins men’s lacrosse coach was understandably disturbed.

“I’m just disappointed because we really pride ourselves on discipline and poise and keeping our composure,” Tillman said after the game, his characteristic smile absent. “And we didn’t do that.”

The mayhem arose when midfielder Kevin Cooper landed an illegal body check on North Carolina midfielder Greg McBride with 40 seconds left in the game. McBride lunged at Cooper, who responded with several punches at the Tar Heels sophomore’s head. North Carolina players immediately intervened, and the altercation ended almost as quickly as it had begun.

After reviewing the film for several minutes, the game’s officials ejected Cooper and McBride for fighting. They also gave Tar Heels defender Charlie McComas a cross-checking penalty, and levied both benches with conduct penalties.

And the sanctions aren’t over.

According to NCAA guidelines, a player ejected for fighting is automatically suspended for the team’s next game. ACC officials will take a deeper look into the matter before delivering a final decision in the coming days, but Tillman has already acknowledged that regardless of what the conference decides, Cooper will not play Saturday against No. 2 Virginia.

“I know that [Kevin’s] very committed and I’ll never question that,” Tillman said. “He just needs to make a better decision. I know he will in the future. I know he cares about his teammates, and he cares deeply about what happens to our program. We’ll move forward, and I know he’ll be a better player going forward.”

With just four days remaining until their date with the defending national champions, the Terps won’t have long to move on.

Tillman will not comment on potential rotational adjustments until the ACC’s handling of Cooper is finalized, but given the Terps’ depth this season, they should have little trouble making up Cooper’s production. In seven games this season, he’s tallied three goals and six assists while running on the team’s second midfield line.

“Over the last two seasons Cooper has averaged less than a point a game,” ESPN lacrosse analyst Quint Kessenich wrote in an email Sunday. “He is easily replaced.”

Tillman will have several options come Saturday. One possible strategy would involve moving attackman Joe Cummings, who earned All-America honors at midfield last year, back to his old spot. Freshman attackman Jay Carlson (10 goals this season) could earn his first career start in Cummings’ place.

Cummings, though, is arguably the Terps’ best finisher, and Tillman may feel he needs the senior captain on the field for the game’s entirety.

Thus, he could take the next-man-up philosophy and simply go down the depth chart. Candidates to receive increased playing time on Saturday include Landon Carr (two goals, one assist), Rustin Bryant (one goal, two assists), Sean McGuire (one assist) and Joe LoCascio (one goal, one assist).

“They have recruited exceptionally well over the last five years,” said ESPN lacrosse analyst Paul Carcaterra. “There are plenty of young players ready to make plays.”

Regardless of who steps onto Byrd Stadium’s field Saturday, Tillman understands one thing: His team can’t forget what it means to represent this university. It can’t allow that brutal incident in Chapel Hill to have a spillover effect.

“Part of my job is to not only teach these guys about lacrosse,” Tillman said. “The most important part is how to become leaders, to become positive young men, guys that represent our school and our state and our team well.

“It’s not going to happen again.”

letourneau@umdbk.com