Something is building for South Dakota Mines Soccer.

Following a record-breaking season, the Hardrockers are looking to sustain success as one of the newer programs in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).  

In just over a decade since the programs berth in 2012, the program has continued to grow—despite competing in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, where only six teams qualify for the postseason.

For head coach Teren Schuster, who recently competed his first season, the path forward is clear.

"This program has never made the RMAC Tournament," Schuster said. "It is a tough challenge with how competitive this league is, but that is the next step. If we were able to do that, it would be very special for the guys and bring our program to new heights."

Schuster arrived in Rapid City following a successful run at Briar Cliff and brings a strong connection to the region. A Sioux Falls native, he sees in-state talent as a key piece of the program's future.

"Being able to recruit more South Dakota based players players and help push this program to new heights is everything to our program," Schuster said.

One of those players is Nickolas North, a Sioux Falls native and Bishop O'Gorman graduate. North became the first player in program history to earn D2CCA All-Region honors after a standout sophomore season in which he scored a program-record 11 goals.

"To have a top player in the RMAC from South Dakota is really special," Schuster said.

The Hardrockers have made significant strides in 2025, setting a program record with seven wins and showcasing one of the most dynamic offenses in NCAA Division II. South Dakota Mines finished 10^th nationally in scoring, averaging 2.53 goals per game, while totaling 43 goals on the season.

Several moments highlighted that progress.

"Beating #11 CSU Pueblo at home for the first time in program history was a lot of fun," Schuster said. "Our game at Air Force was a great experience for our student-athletes. Not many teams at our level can say they played at a Division I facility on ESPN+ and see a good result."

While the progress is clear, sustaining that success—and taking the next step—comes down to continued support.

"Scholarships are everything," Schuster said. "The best teams in the nation are well-funded with high-level scholarships. Being able to increase scholarships can increase the level of talent we can bring into the program."

At South Dakota Mines, that opportunity extends beyond the field. The university's rigorous academic environment is a major draw for prospective student-athletes, offering a unique combination of high-level soccer and a premier STEM education.

"The education sells itself," Schuster said. "It is a big piece of how we can get high-level student-athletes into this program and beat out our competitors."

Scholarship support is especially impactful for international players, who face higher costs to attend.

"Our school costs the most for international students because they are a non-resident and the insurance and fees that are required to pay," Schuster said. "Having more scholarships helps those guys out because it does cost more for them to come here."

With continued growth and investment, Schuster believes the Hardrockers are positioned to take the next step—reaching the RMAC Tournament and competing on a larger stage.

"That's our goal," Schuster said. "Having scholarship support and the support from donors and the community have an impact in reaching that goal."

The Rise of the Rockers Scholarship Campaign directly impacts Hardrocker student-athletes. With continued support, the experience—and the success—of South Dakota Mines Athletics will only continue to grow. Consider making an impact by clicking the image below, or the "Rise of the Rockers" tab at GoRockers.com.