Homecoming arrived a week early for the NIU women’s soccer team as head coach Marci Miller Jobson returned from China Monday.

Miller Jobson had been overseas with the U.S. Women’s National Team competing in the World Cup. The team earned a third-place finish with a 4-1 win over Norway on Sunday.

“The team is excited to get her back. We‘re a pretty tight-knit group,” said associate head coach Paul Jobson. “The girls were excited that she was with the national team and got a chance to experience that with her, but they’re excited to have her back with the team.”

Shooter’s touch

Forward Karen Enockson regained her scoring touch last weekend, scoring three goals in two matches. The senior, who has four goals on the season, is now in seventh place on NIU’s all-time goal scoring list with 17.

“Karen is the type of player that’s going to find the back of the goal,” Jobson said. “We knew that once the MAC hit, she would start scoring.”

While opponents were focusing on last year’s leading goal scorer and questioning her lack of scoring earlier in the 2007 season, other players were able to step up, Jobson said.

“Other teams are putting in a more balanced defensive effort now because they notice we have more goal scorers,” Jobson said.

Double duty

NIU will continue to use two goalkeepers in matches. Sophomore Lindsey Curnock and freshman Audrey Holmer have split time in the net for the Huskies this season.

Curnock has logged 465 minutes and owns a 2-2-1 record with two shutouts, 12 saves and three goals allowed. Holmer has allowed six goals in 392 minutes while posting a 2-1-1 record and making 12 saves.

“When you’ve got two goalkeepers that are good, you do that, and we’ve got two goalkeepers that can get it done,” Jobson said. “If one player gets injured, the other has got to be prepared. We’re probably going to continue doing that.”