The Carolina Chaos defeated the Denver Outlaws 26-18 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series. Veteran goalie Austin Kaut was instrumental in the victory, recording 18 saves at a 48.6% save percentage and extending his record-setting performance by tallying at least 16 saves in all three tournament games.
Leading the Chaos offense, Charlie Bertrand scored seven goals for the second consecutive game. Sergio Perkovic contributed three goals, one two-pointer, and three assists, while Shane Knobloch and Cole Williams provided significant scoring support. Despite Jackson Eicher’s limited output, the Carolina offense remained effective under new head coach Steven Brooks in the Sixes format.
Coach Brooks praised Kaut’s cerebral approach, saying, “He’s always been that cerebral guy. That’s just Kauter. He’s trying to mess with shooters and get in their heads.” Bertrand reflected on the team’s progress: “We’ve been getting better each game, and I’m excited to see how we play Saturday.” The Chaos will face either the Denver Outlaws, California Redwoods, or New York Atlas in the semifinals, depending on the Friday round-robin result between California and New York.
The Denver Outlaws struggled offensively following their strong tournament opener, combining for just 32 goals in their last two games while facing tough goaltending from Matt Knote of the Redwoods and Austin Kaut of the Chaos. Fulton Bayman was a bright spot with six points against the Chaos and 15 points in the tournament. New additions Lance Madonna and Ryan Cohen also contributed six goals and eight points, respectively. However, established players Justin Anderson and Graham Bundy Jr. had inconsistent performances. Goalie Logan McNaney returned after illness but saved just 35% of shots despite making 13 saves under heavy pressure.
CSB Take
Austin Kaut’s exceptional goalkeeping has been pivotal in the Carolina Chaos’ advancement to the Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series semifinals. His consistent high save totals demonstrate the importance of strong goaltending in the fast-paced Sixes format. With balanced scoring and improved team cohesion under coach Steven Brooks, the Chaos position themselves as formidable contenders. The Denver Outlaws must address their offensive inconsistencies to remain competitive in upcoming matches.
Source: Original report
