NIU coach set to embark on World Cup mission

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<p align="justify">Northern Illinois University women's soccer coach Marci Miller Jobson is busier than ever as the college season, and the World Cup tournament, approaches.

<p align="justify">Jobson is in her third year as coach for the Huskies, but she's also been on the U.S. Women's National team for just as long. She learned last month that her status was bumped up to World Cup team member, and she is now preparing for a trip to China, where she will compete in the biggest soccer tournament in the world.

<p align="justify">"This is the real deal. This is the top of soccer, and it's what we've been waiting for and working toward for a long time," said Jobson, who last year led NIU to eight victories and its first MAC championship game appearance since 1998. "It has been a huge challenge to get ready for both - the NIU season and the World Cup tournament. But as an athlete, you have to take all the challenges thrown at you and take them head on. I'm ready."

<p align="justify">Jobson will be on hand with a whistle when the Huskies begin practice today. She will continue to coach until the team leaves for its first road trip. She will not be with the squad as it makes its annual preseason trip to Orlando, Fla., beginning on Aug. 21, and she could potentially miss the team's entire nonconference schedule.

<p align="justify">Instead, Jobson will be a defensive center midfielder for the U.S. team when it opens Group B play in the World Cup tourney on Sept. 11. As one of the original 18 players named to the United States' 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup team (they have sinced named three more), this was an opportunity she said she could not pass up.

<p align="justify">"It was something I had to do. I have a lot of faith in my assistants, and I saw how this could be good for NIU, too," Jobson said. "This kind of thing helps with the recruiting here, and it helps me out in other ways. I mean, I'm around some of the best coaches in the world, and I'm learning new things all the time."

<p align="justify">Her husband, Paul Jobson, is NIU's associate head coach. He will stay with the Huskies as his wife and her teammates begin their quest for the Cup against North Korea on Sept. 11 in Chengdu, China.

<p align="justify">Jobson hopes to still be participating in the World Cup finals on Sept. 30 in Shanghai, China, but she says she could still be back with her NIU team by the time it opens Mid-American Conference play on Sept. 28.

<p align="justify">"I've placed a lot of trust in my coaches, and I feel good about the fact that I'm leaving this team in good hands," the 5-foot-7, 31-year-old said. "I want to have a good World Cup, but I don't want to miss too much of (the Huskies') season, either. It's something I'll have to just let play out. This is a once in a lifetime kind of thing for me, though, so I have to jump in all the way."

College reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1382 or jtaft@rrstar.com.</font>