The LSU soccer team has outscored its opponents 10-0 in its first three games this season.

LSU Coach Brian Lee attributed the defense’s amazing performance to the leadership of junior goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier and the back line controlling the match. 

Communication is central to the relationship between the defenders and the goalkeeper, and Brockmeier asserts the importance for them to have each other’s backs.

“It’s very important for us coming in with three shutouts through the first part of the season,” Brockmeier said. “That’s huge for us, but it’s all about communication and trusting each other and just talking and organizing in the backline. We come out strong for one another and we have each other’s backs.”

Brockmeier was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week after the first week, becoming the first Tiger to be named since goalkeeper Catalina Rubiano in 2015. Brockmeier now has 10 career shutouts after posting seven during the 2016 season.

In this season alone, Brockmeier has saved 16 shots with a career high of 12 saves in a 3-0 win against Colgate. Last season, she totaled 93 saves and set her record of nine saves against both Florida and Georgia. 

After a 2-0 win against Lamar, Brockmeier reiterates that defense is so central to the entirety of the game, and good defense allows for the forwards and attacking midfielders to dictate the pace of the game.

“It’s awesome,” junior forward Alex Thomas said of the defense. “We have way less pressure when they’re not letting anything in. They’re not giving anything up. At the same time, their passing is amazing, so we’re getting awesome balls. It kind of just make our jobs way easier. Less pressure and we constantly get the attack because they’re winning everything. ”

Brockmeier reiterated Thomas’ sentiment from a defensive perspective.

“It’s very comforting for us as defense,” Brockmeier said. “We get the goals early and we can set back a little bit more, but we know we still have to be focused and tuned in and hold them off for the rest of the game.

“I’m glad we have the forwards to go out there and score early.”

Besides Brockmeier, the backline including senior defender Jordane Carvery , sophomore defender Ellie Weber, freshmen defenders Lindsey Eaton, Chiara Ritchie-Williams and freshman midfielder Tiana Caffey, has dominated through the first three games.

In the season opener against Mississippi Valley, Brockmeier made no saves as the defense held the Devilettes to only three shots in the game.

“The kids are playing hard, you know, we don’t give away break aways, we don’t give away great chances, and [Brockmeier] has been excellent so far,” Lee said. “She manages crosses so well. Things that could be good chances in other games against other teams, she’s caught and we’re on the counterattack.”