Exactly one goal has slipped past junior goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier this season through six games. The only time it happened was an own goal that came out of a pile up right in front of the goal against Austin Peay University.
The transfer from Florida State is in her second season at LSU and is continuing to be one of the best at what she does. Coming out of high school, Brockmeier was the No. 3 ranked goalkeeper in the country. At Florida State, she exceeded expectations becoming the top goalkeeper in college soccer in 2015, according to EverybodySoccer.com
Brockmeier came to LSU last year and started all 19 matches for the Tigers. She finished the season with a goals against average of 1.51. She also tied for fifth in LSU history for shutouts in a single season with seven and had the sixth most saves in a single season with 93.
Coach Brian Lee sees the potential for her to get even better as she continues
to develop.
“It means a lot,” Lee said. “To have a top class goalkeeper really is something that can separate a team from other teams. Brock has really grown in her time with us, I think she’s in very good form right now and still has the ability to get better and better.”
Sitting with one goal
allowed and 27 saves is definitely a great way to start. The Tigers defense as a whole has a .167 goals allowed average which puts them tied for
fifth nationally.
“For me “Brockmeier said, “it’s just staying focused and it starts with a good warm-up and then going in a game and having the confidence in myself and the backline and the rest of the team that we’re going to go in and get the win,” Brockmeier said.
The defense is performing well, only allowing 73 shots in total on the season compared to the offenses 94. A goalkeeper’s job does get a lot easier if the offense has the ball on the other side of the field most of the game, but it can get a little boring all alone back there.
“It’s tough,” Brockmeier said, “I don’t know, playing soccer my whole life it’s not as tough as you think it would be. There’s stuff I do throughout the game like making sure the backline is organized and stuff like that.”
LSU (6-0) will be looking to start conference play this Sunday against Vanderbilt after taking on No. 22 Cincinnati
this Thursday.
On looking forward,
Brockmeier said, “Right now our focus is on Cincinnati and then after that it’s on to the next one. But right now it’s just taking it game by game, we’re just staying focused like that. So we’re not too worried about the far future currently.”