Fraser’s four goals lead Chaos to PLL title
At the biggest moment, Chase Fraser came up huge on Sunday.
The former Neumann University standout scored four goals in the Premier Lacrosse League final at Audi Field in Washington, leading his Chaos to a 14-9 win over the Whipsnakes.
Fraser scored twice in the fourth quarter, including a goal with 6:46 left to put Chaos up four and effectively ice the game. He was the game’s leading scorer with four goals on just five shots, an uber-effective operator on the crease.
It completes a massive turnaround for Chaos, the sixth seed in the eight-team league. They started 0-3 but rallied to be crowned champions, the first team other than the Whipsnakes to win the PLL title in its three seasons. A big reason has been Fraser’s fit within a Canadian-heavy attack: In just seven games this season, the native of British Columbia has 16 goals and 17 points.
Dhane Smith scored two goals to go with four assists Sunday. Josh Byrne and Chris Cloutier had two goals and two assists each. All three are Canadians; it was Byrne who pushed the Chaos to sign Fraser this season after he had impressed in indoor lacrosse.
PLL MVP Blaze Riorden
was outstanding in goal again with 15 saves for Chaos. His backup is Springfield All-Delco Austin Kaut.
Chaos denied the Whipsnakes a third straight title in part by keeping Matt Rambo quiet. The La Salle grad, who scored the game-winning goal in the inaugural final in Chester in 2019, had an assist. Jay Carlson tallied a hat trick, and Justin Gutterding and Mike Chanenchuk scored twice apiece.