Gophers freshman goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs was supposed to get a couple of weeks off after Minnesota’s season ended with a 3-0 loss to Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

But three days after the loss, Gophers head coach Stefanie Golan informed Hobbs she’d been invited to the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team training camp at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif.

“I just kind of freaked out,” Hobbs said. “It’s like a dream come true to just be able to represent the school.”

Hobbs left for California on Sunday. The camp runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1.

“It’s going to be new — new experience, new opportunity,” she said. “I’m a little nervous and excited — kind of mixed emotions because you don’t know what to expect. That’s the fun of it.”

The 2013 season proved to be a banner year for the freshman goalkeeper. She posted 118 saves, four shutouts and a .849 save percentage.

The tryout invitation capped a season filled with honors. Hobbs earned the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year title earlier this month.

“It’s nice, but you can’t let it go all to your head,” she said. “You have to be humble about it. Just celebrate it and then just work toward the next thing.”

Hobbs was not at full strength at the end of the season, but she didn’t miss any games. She said she’s about “80 percent” but is confident heading into the week.

“I’m going to learn a lot, and [there’s] definitely going to be a lot of stuff to take away from [it],” she said. “This is a great opportunity, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”