Before Syracuse’s critical match against South Florida on Friday night, SU head coach Phil Wheddon told his team how gratifying it would be to clinch a spot in the Big East tournament for the SU’s women’s soccer program.

And especially for Casey Ramirez.

‘We talked about how nice it would be and how special it would be for sure,’ Wheddon said. ‘It’s now something we can celebrate together because it’s something the whole team has achieved. It’s exceptionally special for the seniors and Casey in particular.’

And now after three long years in which Ramirez hadn’t been a part of an Orange team that made postseason play, the senior can finally celebrate. Ramirez, the lone senior to play four years for the Orange, started her SU career at the same time Wheddon did. Both have been through trials and tribulations during their tenures at Syracuse, but in the end, the chance to compete in the playoffs made it all worth it.

Ramirez has transformed into a leader for the program in her four years.

Ramirez had to make a tough decision before she stepped foot on SU’s campus. Patrick Farmer, the previous head coach, recruited the Pennsylvania native to come to Syracuse, but he resigned in the spring before her freshman year.

Wheddon was hired at about the same time. Three other players were part of that recruiting class, including Tina Romagnuolo. Ramirez is the only one to play all four years, as Romagnuolo redshirted as a freshman.

‘I was just excited to play college soccer,’ Ramirez said. ‘Phil seemed like a great guy when I met him, when I talked to him, so I wasn’t too concerned.’

‘The girls were all so nice and just adapting to the school, and getting more comfortable always makes it more enjoyable.’

Looking back, Ramirez is sure she made the right move. And Wheddon is equally happy she did.

Although Wheddon was not the coach to recruit Ramirez and had never seen her play before she arrived at Syracuse, Wheddon has seen all he needs to be impressed with what Ramirez has brought to all 73 games in her career.

‘Casey’s gifted in an athletic way,’ Wheddon said. ‘She’s got a natural aerobic gift, which has allowed her to excel at this level.’

Throughout her career, Ramirez hasn’t just excelled at one position. She came in as a defender but has played a significant amount of minutes in the midfield as well. Ramirez admittedly isn’t as comfortable in the midfield as she is at the backline, but she’s willing to do it to help the team.

Goalkeeper Brittany Anghel said Ramirez’s ability to fill in at multiple positions shows her versatility. Anghel said she’s a crafty player who plays taller than her listed height of 5-foot-5. She has the toughness to go up against physically bigger players.

That scrappy play has rubbed off on Anghel and the rest of the team.

‘I’ve learned that you’ve got to keep battling because she’s a fighter and she doesn’t give it up,’ Anghel said. ‘It doesn’t matter the circumstances, the position she’s playing or who she has to defend, she always goes 100 percent.’

That play has made her one of the unquestioned leaders on an Orange squad having one of its best seasons in its 16-year program history.

Romagnuolo said everyone on the team can look to Ramirez if they have a problem. She also leads by example in training and on the field.

The respect for Ramirez is clear as the team celebrates its postseason berth. Because it is her final season, the team’s success means that much more.

‘For any player, it’s special,’ Wheddon said. ‘But when you’ve gone through the progression that she has, I think it’s more special for her.’

dgproppe@syr.edu

 

Published on October 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm