NIU women’s soccer coach Marci Miller will attend a U.S. National team camp in Fullerton, Cali. to prepare for an Oct. 16 match against Australia. If Miller makes the roster, she will miss NIU games against Eastern and Western Michigan. Miller said there is a chance she could return for the games if she does not make the roster.

Assistant coach Paul Jobson will take over the coaching reigns in Miller’s absence, and said expectations and philosophy won’t change.

“It will be the same style of play and we will have the same goals,” Jobson said. “Players will hear the same thing from the sidelines.”

It is the second time this year Miller will travel to a U.S. National team camp. The first-year coach was humbled to be selected as one of the best players in the country.

“It is a huge honor to be selected,” Miller said. “This is something I’ve done my whole life and it is a great feeling to be with the 28 best players in the country – in the world.”

Miller said she will take advantage of the opportunity to gather techniques from National team coach Greg Ryan.

“Not every coach gets the chance to play for the National team,” Miller said. “I’ll go back after a practice and make notes about training, style and ideas now that I’m into coaching.”

Ryan coached Miller at Southern Methodist, and owns a 7-0-0 record as coach of the National team.

Jobson is ecstatic that Miller has the opportunity to go to camp and said he will confer with the head coach over the phone while she is gone.

“It’s awesome to be taking over for the two games,” Jobson said. “An even cooler thing is giving Marci the chance to go and play for the U.S. National team.”