Inside redshirt junior Gabby Galanti's backpack lies a card. On it Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" is printed. The card, given to her by new assistant soccer coach Kevin Dempsey, serves as a constant reminder of her devastating injury history and even stronger willpower.

Galanti was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a young child. The disease's stigma plagues young children who are repeatedly told that their diagnosis dictates what they can and can't do. Sports immediately provided her with an outlet to show to everyone who doubted her that she would ignore their warnings and succeed despite them.

At the age of 4, she picked up karate. Her instructor, a former Marine, used his unique experience to push his students. This would be a common theme for Galanti. Her mother, Maria, remembers Galanti unable to perform a certain move in his class, and the instructor raised his voice toward her daughter. Determined, she returned home to practice, asking her mother the following day if she could go back to karate. Her mom asked skeptically if she was sure. She was. Upon returning, Galanti ran to her instructor, excitedly pleading to show him her mastery of the move.

Maria grew up in an Italian family with strict gender roles and expectations. When her daughter was born, she ensured those boundaries did not restrict her. For Galanti, who recalls wearing boys' clothes in elementary school, her mother's insistence that she develop into her own individual allowed her to grow into her true self in her own time. “My mom came from another country where women weren't treated as equals, and she always had a very strong belief that women can do whatever they want, and that carried over toward me," Galanti said.

Galanti passed on her hard-skinned toughness and constant desire to better herself to her younger brother. Nick, 16, a high school junior, has witnessed his sister's continual rehab efforts firsthand. His admiration of his sister's continued dedication, despite her numerous setbacks, has taught him perseverance. “You learn a lot more from a sibling than you can from a parent," he said. “She went through a lot more than me, and if she can get through all of it, than so can I."

Slated to lace up for the FIFA U-17 U.S. National team, Galanti suffered her first serious injury. A torn left meniscus dashed her chances at playing in the U-17 World Cup. Only her first major injury, her meniscus healed, and she returned to play. In her junior year, less than 11 months after the initial injury, she re-tore the same meniscus.

Her junior year—the most important year for hopeful collegiate athletes and the year she would eventually commit—was precisely the time when she should be developing the most as a player. Instead she remained sidelined, quietly, humbly pushing herself to be better than she was before. Despite her slew of injuries, the University of Maryland offered the first team all-state Freehold Township High School star and No. 19 ranked player in the country a full-ride scholarship.

A minor back injury held Galanti off the field through the first three games of her freshman year. Subbed in at the 37-minute mark against George Mason University, her first collegiate touch was admittedly poor. Reminding herself to stay calm, she refocused to make her next touch count. Perfectly corralling a long pass into the 18-yard box, Galanti took one touch and fired on net. Her first college goal came in minute 38, one minute into her collegiate career. The 1-1 equalizer ignited a lagging Maryland team who, following the freshman's lead, shutout George Mason in the second half, securing a 3-1 victory.

A month later, the blossoming freshman recorded two assists against Francis Marion University in her first start. In 20 games that season, she recorded nine points and 13 shots on goal.

After her first season in College Park, Galanti was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome, resulting in increased pressure and pain in her legs. After two meniscus tears, a back injury and her most recent diagnosis, Galanti tore her ACL in August 2013, four games and one game-winning goal into her sophomore campaign.

“Most people would have quit by now," said fifth-year senior and close friend, Hayley Brock. “It doesn't really occur to her, she's going to fight it to get back on the field."

The Frost poem speaks of two roads diverging in the woods, each equally worn. The subject looks far down the paths ahead, deciding what journey to take.

Taking her injuries in stride, head coach Jonathan Morgan never lost faith. “I hated people feeling bad for me," Galanti said. “Even after all my surgeries, I didn't want help from anyone. I wanted to do it all on my own. I knew [Coach Morgan] was there for me and provided me that same tough love I was used to."

Her determination to recover after each injury is deeply rooted in how she was raised. Challenged in her childhood by diabetes, and in high school and college with injuries, tough love never made her uncomfortable. She liked it. She was drawn to the challenge.

For her teammates, Galanti's leadership extends beyond the pitch, specifically toward those suffering from injuries. Her attitude and persistence are inspirational. “Girls have been injured and said what gets them through it is seeing how much Gabby's gone through," said Brock.

Galanti is a leader not by virtue of bossiness or pure talent. She is a leader because of her unwavering grit in the face of adversity. Her circumstances are not ordinary by any means. Her responses, however, have proved extraordinary. Without the freedom to choose between multiple separating paths, her injuries determined her journey, but her attitude provided her with the tools for success.

Gabby Galanti took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.