Every athlete’s nightmare is getting seriously injured and Galdorisi was now living it. She would later learn she tore her ACL.
“I got up and my knee felt weird, I thought it was just a sprain, I didn’t think it was anything worse,” Galdorisi said.
Galdorisi started kicking a soccer ball for the first time in preschool. Even though she was a multitalented athlete, playing basketball and lacrosse, soccer always stuck out. The game brought new challenges and obstacles for her every day and made her feel like no other sport did. Galdorisi knew if she kept improving and meeting those challenges she would eventually play at the college level.
High school created special memories for Galdorisi.
Winning the New York State Catholic Cup, Sportsmanship Award, and Scholar-Athlete Award for Kings Park High School was just a few of her many accomplishments. The college coaches who saw this New York native play were willing to offer any type of scholarship to have her apart of their program. Stonehill’s Coach Alex Wilson convinced Galdorisi to commit to Stonehill College in October of 2013 by showing off the great campus and the chemistry within the team.
Galdorisi suffered a string of injuries such as sprained ankles playing sports in her youth years of playing soccer. However, those injuries were different from the ACL tear she suffered on the Hartford field.
Galdorisi went to her doctor’s appointment about a week later hoping it was just a sprain. The test results found she had torn her ACL. Doctors said she needed surgery on April 29, 2014. She had surgery using the patella tendon to repair the ACL. Using the patella is the longest and hardest recovery. This is because it is the best chance of the ACL not tearing again. She watched her club team and spent her first collegiate season on the sidelines.
“I like supporting the team, but it is hard knowing you can’t play though.” Galdorisi tries to stay optimistic.
“Some people at physical therapy might be so miserable, but I continuously just stay positive. That is all you really can do.”
Galdorisi said she continues to motivate herself to get back on the field to finish her soccer career. “Galdorisi has become the team’s biggest supporter,” said Meredith Moore, a freshman on the team. “She had grown a deeper appreciation for the game and a better understanding for the sport.”
Galdorisi working out in the gym is motivational to her peers.
“Seeing her add ten more pounds to a lift, or just staying an extra ten minutes to put that extra effort in is inspiring to the rest of us,” Moore said.
As a powerhouse midfielder Galdorisi is, playing the duration of the match, this time has given her a different perspective. She has learned more about the game and knows what to do when she is cleared to play.
Galdorisi said the injury has made her a better person by teaching her to enjoy every moment you can because it can all change in one second.
“Tearing her ACL realized how much Galdorisi needs soccer in her life,” Galdorisi said.
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