By Kim J. Harmon

When Marc Kenney began looking for a new coaching post, the Newtown High School girls’ soccer program was on his short list.

Fortunately for him, he ended up on the Newtown short list and was awarded the position – taking over for departing coach Rupert de los Reyes – last spring. He met most of the team then, but opened practice a couple weeks ago and now is ready to step right into the fire as the Lady Nighthawks open the 2007 season next Tuesday night against arch rival Masuk.

“We’ve had some kids injured and we’ve struggled a bit in our scrimmages,” said Kenney. “But I have had the opportunity to see some of the younger kids and they are coming along. Preseason has been different, especially with the transition.”

Kenney tended goal at Central Connecticut State University and once out of school, from 1996 to 1999, became the head women’s soccer coach at Teikyo Post University in Waterbury, a NAIA program. From there, he became an assistant with the women’s soccer program at Southern Connecticut State University and then an assistant with the boys’ soccer program at Newington High School, where he was teaching English.

Once he got the post at Newtown, he took his syllabi and copies of The Jungle and Great Expectations to Bethel High School.

Kenney credits his old college coach with opening his eyes to the prospect of coaching.

“I didn’t play much,” he said, “and I had an opportunity to see how (coach) handled his players and if he could make me feel like that I wanted to see if I could do it, too.”

He admits he was a bit over his head at Post, but there is nothing like being thrown into the fire and he quickly learned the necessary skills he needed. When he was looking for a new gig, the reputation of the Newtown High School girls’ soccer program and the strength of its youth program weighed heavily in his decision to pursue the job.

“Newtown has had a strong high school program,” said coach Kenney, “because of its feeder program.”

The Lady Nighthawks captured a CIAC Class LL state championship in 2004, but have butted heads too many times with Masuk and lost out, it seems, on too many opportunities to win that elusive South-West Conference championship.

“Winning the SWCs is always a goal here,” the coach said, “and I’m looking to hang one of those banners in the gym. These girls deserve it – that’s for sure.”

There is a lot of external pressure on coaches in Newtown – every coach who has ever walked the sidelines here has felt it. But coach Kenney said the only pressure he feels is trying to bring home a championship for the three seniors – Gabby Nastri, Megan Hansen and Colleen Thornberg.

“I want it to happen for them,” he said.

There is no question the ‘Hawks have a talented team. And it starts with juniors Tania Domingos and Kasey Schulz.

“Kasey and Tania are outstanding talents,” said coach Kenney, “and sometimes I am in awe. They make it easier on the rest of the team and they will win some games all by themselves … but they won’t win all of the games by themselves. We rely on the other nine players on the field to contribute.”

And as Newtown soccer fans know, everyone will need to contribute next Tuesday if the ‘Hawks are to open the 2007 season – and begin coach Kenney’s Newtown career – on a positive note.