SIDELINED: Princeton University men’s lacrosse head coach Chris Bates surveys the action in a game last season. Last Saturday, the Tigers fell 19-8 at No. 3 Brown to drop to 2-6 overall and 0-3 Ivy League. In the wake of the defeat, Bates was placed on administrative leave following an incident with an opposing player during the third quarter of the contest. Offensive coordinator Matt Madalon will take the helm for the Tigers, who host No. 8 Stony Brook (8-2) on April 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

After falling behind 5-0 at undefeated and third-ranked Brown last Saturday, it looked like the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team had no answers for the high-powered Bears.

But showing resolve, Princeton went on a 6-2 run over the last 18:53 of the half to narrow the Brown lead to 7-6 at intermission.

In the third quarter, however, things came unglued for both the Princeton players and coaches.

The Bears exploded for nine goals in the frame to build a 16-8 lead and never looked back on the way to a 19-8 triumph.

Meanwhile, Princeton head coach Chris Bates got embroiled in a sideline incident early in the quarter. The distressing sequence started when Brown player John Yozzo-Scaperrotta began running to the substitution box. Bates, who was on the field seemingly trying to talk to an official after a foul was called on Princeton, appeared to put his right shoulder and elbow toward Yozzo-Scaperrotta, colliding with his right shoulder.

Yozzo-Scaperrotta turned back toward Bates as he got to the sideline and then headed straight to his coaches. Bates went to the other end of the bench away from the substitution area.

The video of the incident went viral as the game was broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network and ESPN3. The lacrosse community weighed in with a firestorm of commentary through various on-line forums.

On Monday, Princeton put Bates on administrative leave, “pending a review of an incident in this past Saturday’s game against Brown.”

In the statement announcing the action, the school added that it “is taking this matter seriously and will be conducting a prompt and thorough review.” Offensive coordinator Matt Madalon was named “to lead the team during this process.”

Madalon will face a leadership challenge right off the bat as the reeling Tigers, now 2-6 overall and 0-3 Ivy League, host No. 8 Stony Brook (8-2) on April 9.