Ramos Caps Career with a Record-Breaking Legacy

Sydnee Ramos celebrates a goal on home turf. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

Senior captain from New Bedford, Massachusetts, number one, Sydnee Ramos. Many at Dean College recognize that name for a good reason.

In her senior year, Sydnee Ramos made history, breaking the Dean College field hockey program record, scoring 26 goals and 10 assists. She captained the field hockey team to its first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship and a trip to the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Her journey to field hockey, however, was anything but traditional.

Ramos grew up playing baseball from age three because her dad was the coach and her mom worked at night. She spent her younger years in the baseball dugout watching her brother play. Ramos played baseball until she was 13, but since there were no girls’ baseball leagues available, she switched to softball.

Ramos played baseball in her early years. Photo Courtesy: Sydnee Ramos

Ramos did not know field hockey existed until her high school orientation at New Bedford High School. The field hockey coach noticed her athleticism and encouraged her to give it a try.

Ramos said, “My dad got me my first field hockey stick; I didn't even go with him to get it.” She started playing on varsity as a freshman and realized she enjoyed it, continuing to play all of her high school career.

Ramos playing for the New Bedford Whalers. Photo Courtesy: Sydnee Ramos

When she first committed to Dean for softball, Ramos had no intention of playing field hockey.

Luckily for Dean Athletics, Ramos joined the field hockey team a few weeks into pre-season because the team did not have enough players.

Ramos said, “As soon as I touched a field hockey stick again, I knew I wanted to play.” She made an immediate impact in her first year, scoring 5 points, including 2 goals and an assist, and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). She was named the 2022-23 Dean College Rookie of the Year for her efforts on both the field hockey and softball teams.

Ramos wins MVP and Rookie of the Year in her freshman year, 2022-2023. Photo Courtesy: Sydnee Ramos

Even though they did not win a single field hockey game her freshman year, Ramos admired Coach Gutierrez’s dedicated coaching style and saw the momentum in each new recruiting class. Ramos expressed how she “knew deep down it (the field hockey program) was going to be something bigger.”

Ramos said she believes in Coach Gutierrez's dedicated leadership. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

Coach Gutierrez has created a culture of consistency and effort in her field hockey program. After the GNAC championship win, she spoke on her deep connection with the senior class, “They believed in me and that gives me confidence and faith as a coach, and I can't thank them enough for being here and staying with me.”

Ramos explained how she held onto her coach’s words, “Give it time. We’ll get there.” This long-term belief paid off this year.

Ramos said after the Colby-Sawyer loss early in the season, momentum completely shifted. The team went on a massive winning streak and collected nine GNAC wins, breaking the program record for most wins in a regular season.

As a captain, Ramos exemplified leading by example and not letting negativity take over. She said, “Throughout the season, the message of family really stuck with us, and that's how we got through.”

Teammate Kelsey Blair’s words became the season’s anchor as she would highlight, “We get to be here. Not everyone gets this opportunity.” Ramos exemplified how this mindset carried them through injuries, adversity, and pressure.

A player who never expected to play field hockey becomes the face of the program's rise. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

“I knew from freshman year I was going to be a big part of the team, but I didn't really understand how big because I never really saw myself as a field hockey player,” Ramos said.

She expressed how she is, “most proud of winning the first GNAC championship for Dean College and becoming the first team to go to the national tournament.”

Ramos holds up the GNAC Championship trophy with her teammates. Photo Courtesy: Jay Ruzicka

Ramos capped her senior season with one of the strongest offensive performances in program history, earning two GNAC Offensive Player of the Week awards and delivering multiple milestone games, including a record-setting 10-point, five-goal performance against Rivier on October 11th. Ramos ended the season second in the GNAC for goals and points.

Sydnee Ramos’ field hockey career represents perseverance, growth, and the power of believing in something bigger. She not only leaves behind a blueprint for future Dean Bulldogs, but she also leaves a historic GNAC championship banner hanging in Pieri Gymnasium.

Sydnee Ramos is not done yet. Watch out for #1 on the softball field as her senior season starts January 26th, 2026.