Memorial dedication prior to the men's game, senior day before the women's match

EASTON, Mass. (October 11, 2016) – The Stonehill College men's and women's soccer programs will both be hosting pre-game ceremonies prior to their Saturday, October 15 matches on Skyhawk Field at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

Before the start of the men's soccer game versus Le Moyne College, there will be a memorial dedication in honor of former men's soccer coach and Stonehill Athletics Hall of Fame member Hernani "Ernie" Branco at 10 a.m.

Branco retired from coaching the Skyhawks with an overall record of 151-118-25 (.556) in 15 season from 1984 through 1998. The Brockton, Mass. native led the school to three Northeast-10 Conference Championships during his tenure, including the program's first league crown in 1985 as well as back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991. Stonehill captured both conference and regular season and tournament titles in 1990 as well as the playoff crown in 1991. Ernie coached a total of 27 All-Conference players during his tenure, including All-American and fellow Hall of Famer Andy McMahon.

Branco passed away suddenly from injuries from an automobile accident on December 8, 2013.

Prior to the women's soccer match against Pace University with a start time of 2 p.m., the Skyhawks will recognize the 10 seniors that led the program to improve from a 2013 record of 5-11-2 to its best season since 2000 with a 10-2-1 mark this fall. They have also assisted in making multiple appearances in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) weekly regional polls matching its best ranking of No. 4 in 1999 this year after beating No. 20 LIU Post, 1-0, and No. 5 Adelphi University, 4-3.

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