GIRLS SOCCER: Female Athlete of the Week, Kennedy Chandler plays big part in Waynesboro's success
Kennedy Chandler and the Waynesboro girls soccer team were in this same position last season.
Facing a deficit in the second half of the Chambersburg Tournament against the host Trojans, the Maidens needed a spark. And, just like last year, it was Kennedy Chandler who came through in the clutch.
After Waynesboro tied the game in the 49th minute, Chandler scored the dagger five minutes later, putting the Maidens up 2-1. That score held up, giving Waynesboro the win.
"I saw right when Morgan (French) got the ball that the defender was way off me," Chandler said. "She saw the pass, and once I got the ball I just went passed her and hit a shot far post."
Chandler also had three assists in Waynesboro's 3-1 win over James Buchanan in the opener. She is the Public Opinion Female Athlete of the Week.
Waynesboro coach Brian Fisher said, "Kennedy is a very intelligent player. She has great patience in the final third, can set people up well and makes smart decisions. This weekend she gave us some excellent corner kick opportunities as well. She is a very composed finisher very consistent and has a powerful shot."
And while Chandler is already a well-known scorer, she has also stepped into the role as a leader for Waynesboro.
"There are several fitness tests that we constantly monitor," Fisher said. "She fell a bit below her goal on one of the tests about five weeks ago, and we were having a practice from 6-8 a.m. the next morning. She texted me the night before and asked me if she could come in at 5:30 to make the level that she was striving for. She was waiting in the parking lot for me. She had her best score that morning, and that was a great example for our underclassmen."
Waynesboro isn't where it wants to be yet this season, but both Chandler and Fisher have high expectations once everything comes together.
Chandler said, "We have a great team with a strong senior class, and I think we have more skill than we've had in the past. I think we have a chance to be very good."
Chandler plans to play soccer in college, but she has not chosen a school yet. She would love the opportunity to play for Shippensburg, and she wants to major in criminal justice and eventually work for the FBI.
KENNEDY CHANDLER, WAYNESBORO MAIDENS Sport: Girls soccer
Position: Right midfielder
Grade: Senior
Parents: Heather Lowman
Other interests: Chandler loves being with her friends, and she is also very family oriented.
Favorite team: Seattle Reign.
Pro athlete most admired: Megan Rapino
Three people she'd like to have dinner with: Oprah Winfrey, Dean Smith and Hope Solo
Statistics: Chandler was huge for the Maidens in their Chambersburg Tournament victory. She scored the game-winning goal in the championship against Chambersburg, and she also assisted in each of the three goals Waynesboro scored in its 3-1 win over James Buchanan in the opening round.