After a successful freshman season in which he earned Big East rookie of the year honors while performing for the University of Connecticut, defender-midfielder Kieran Chandler faced another huge challenge.
How would he fare against the best in the USL League Two?
He accomplished it swimmingly.
In fact, he did so well that he was named the Long Island Rough Riders’ Young Player of the Year by the club’s coaching staff.
Chandler started the season as an 18-year-old and celebrated his 19th birthday during the campaign. He did not miss a beat, helping the Rough Riders limit their opposition to 10 goals in 12 matches.
The Simsbury, Conn. native played 11 out of a possible 13 games, including the playoffs.
He also showed his versatility. When the Rough Riders deployed a back four on defense, he performed at left back.
When Long Island decided to try a 3-5-2 formation, he excelled as a left winger.
Not bad, not bad at all for one of the youngest players in USL League Two.
“I think that just says how good he was,” assistant coach Harry Morris said.
No matter where the 5-foot-9, 155-lbl Chandler played.
“He was somebody who wanted to take that responsibility no matter his age,” Morris said. “As an 18-year-old he wanted to get on the ball. We wanted him to be one of the focal parts of our team. He was a mainstay on the team. He came to us and really impressed us.”
Chandler was an All-American selection while starring at Loomis Chaffee High School (Connecticut), finishing with 21 goals and 53 assists.
At UConn, he played in 11 games, starting eight while earning Big East defender of the week twice.
Not bad for a freshman, not bad at all.
Long Island finished atop the Metropolitan Division with a 9-1-2 mark, outscoring its foes, 31-10, before losing in the League Two playoffs, a 3-1 decision to Vermont Green FC in the opening round.
The Rough Riders will return to action in League Two next May.
Stay updated with the latest on the Rough Riders by visiting www.LIRoughRiders.com.