A dominant second half defensive effort propelled Redwoods past Chaos 12-7 at Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, N.J., and into the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League championship game.

Redwoods will meet Whipsnakes next Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium outside of Philadelphia in a game that will be televised nationally on NBC at 2:30 p.m.

Chaos had the league's best regular season record, but for the second straight week had a nightmarish third quarter.

Last weekend, Whipsnakes outscored Chaos 8-0 in the third quarter on the way to a 15-7 victory. Today, Chaos had rallied to tie the game 6-6 at halftime, but then went scoreless in the third quarter as Redwoods scored four straight to take a 10-6 lead after three.

Redwoods scored two more goals early in the fourth quarter before Chaos finally ended its scoreless streak at 19:31 on a Miles Thompson rebound goal with 5:58 remaining following a Tim Troutner save, but it was much too late.

Troutner, a rookie out of High Point, made eight of his 12 saves in the second half and got plenty of help from his defense in limiting a potent Chaos offense.

Connor Fields was held scoreless and Josh Byrnes was limited to one first quarter goal after suffering an injury early in the game.

"We really feel like we're the best defense in this league," said Redwoods coach Nat St. Laurent on NBC Sports after the game. "We know how good we can be. What Matt Landis did against Connor Fields, who's arguably the best player in this league. We just named the island after him. It's Landis Island."

Landis was quick to deflect the praise.

"Connor Fields is an incredible player, but I think as a unit we came together," Landis said. "Everybody played really well. I appreciate the support from my teammates, but defense is a 6-on-6 thing."

Fueled by a pair of goals from Brent Adams and a two-pointer by longstick middie John Sexton, Redwoods led 5-1 after the opening quarter, but a high hit penalty on Redwoods defenseman Garrett Epple that led to a scuffle between Epple and Kevin Buchanan helped swing momentum to Chaos.

Myles Jones scored back-to-back goals following the skirmish and the run reached three straight after Dhane Smith found the back of the net. After a Redwoods goal by Jules Heningburg, Thompson and Buchanan scored for Chaos to tie the game heading into the locker rooms. 

Veteran Joe Walters scored back-to-back goals to open the second half scoring for Redwoods and the defense did the rest.

Adams, Heningburg, Ryder Garnsey, Sergio Perkovic and Walters each had two goals for Redwoods. Jones and Thompson led Chaos with two goals each.

The Redwoods victory sets up a championship game showdown with Whipsnakes, which blew out out Redwoods 17-4 in the last meeting between the two teams on Aug. 18.

"Last time they took it to us, no doubt," Landis said. "We're looking for revenge. We're looking to come out swinging. I'm excited for the opportunity."