Caroline Brockmeier making a homecoming to Florida State, Tallahassee with LSU

Upon leaving Florida State, Caroline Brockmeier wasn't sure she was ever going to get to play soccer in her hometown again.

The two-time All-Big Bend goalkeeper at Chiles High School in Tallahassee chose to stay home and play for FSU out of high school.

After two seasons with the team backing up Cassie Miller in net, Brockmeier decided to move on and transfer to LSU ahead of the 2016 season, allowing her the chance to earn the starting job at a prominent program.

Now in her third season as LSU's starting goalkeeper, Brockmeier returns to the Seminole Soccer Complex Friday afternoon when her Tigers (13-6-4) trek to Tallahassee to take on No. 4 seed Southern California (16-2-2) at 2 p.m.

"It means everything to me. All my friends, all my family get to come to the game," Brockmeier told the Tallahassee Democrat.

"It's just kind of funny how everything comes around full circle. I'm happy I get to play another game in Tallahassee, my hometown, in front of everyone."

Brockmeier redshirted at FSU in 2014 -- the year the Seminoles won the national championship -- and didn't allow a goal in seven matches as a redshirt freshman in 2015 while backing up Miller.

Still, Miller had two years of eligibility remaining, meaning Brockmeier would have plenty more waiting for it to be her turn.

This weekend is her first time playing at FSU since she transferred.

"I've been coming to these games probably since I was eight years old. I've known (FSU head coach) Mark (Krikorian) for a while," Brockmeier said.

"It's a weird feeling to be back, but it's also a happy feeling. I'm glad to be here."

Even with Brockmeier moving on, Krikorian was highly complimentary when asked Thursday of what she brought to the team during her time in Tallahassee.

"We've been texting back and forth over the last couple of weeks as they've continued on their roll. She's a great kid," Krikorian said.

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"She's finished her bachelor's degree, she's going to finish her masters' degree. I'm thrilled for her. I'm glad that things have turned out so well for her and she's been at a place where she can thrive and it sure looks like she's risen to the challenge.

"When they showed up here this morning, I went right out there, gave her a big hug, told her how proud I was of her and how happy I am for her."

Of Brockmeier's three seasons in goal at LSU, this season has been her best.

She has 10 shutouts in 21 starts and is allowing a career-low 0.94 goals per game. She's played a crucial role in getting LSU into its first NCAA Tournament since 2015.

LSU enters this weekend having won nine of its last 10 matches -- including a surprising SEC Tournament Championship as the No. 7 seed -- and a huge part of that can be attributed to Brockmeier.

She's allowed more than one goal just twice in the last 10 matches as the Tigers rallied into the postseason.

"I never thought that I would get this far as a player," Brockmeier said.

"LSU has helped me grow more as a player and more as a person than I ever imagined."

Added LSU head coach Brian Lee, "She's been on great form. Whenever you bring kids to a college program, what you hope in the end is they finish playing their very best soccer and Caroline's a wonderful example of that.

"The last six weeks, she's been on the best form of her career and down the stretch here, she's been arguably the best goalkeeper in the country."

Three of LSU's last four wins have come in penalty kicks, including the Tigers' win over Boston University in their NCAA Tournament opener.

Over those penalty shootouts, Brockmeier has come up huge with an astounding seven saves on 17 PKs attempted.

Should LSU find itself in that spot again Friday, Brockmeier's presence and experience gives the Tigers significant confidence in the result.

"She looks like she's going to save every single one of them and she certainly has saved her share," Lee said.

"Let's hope it goes to penalties on Friday. That'd be great."

LSU vs. No. 4 Southern California

NCAA Tournament Second Round Matchup

When: Friday, 2 p.m.

Where: Seminole Soccer Complex

TV: WatchESPN (Online)