RAPID CITY - Mark Morgan has seen his share of soccer, but he hasn't seen a team like the Rushmore Soccer Club's U-15 girls squad. In fact, western South Dakota hasn't seen a team like it either.

"I have approximately 30 seasons of coaching soccer and I don't think I have enjoyed coaching a group of girls quite as much as I have this one," he said. "They work extremely hard, and their sole desire is to improve as players and teammates."

For the third consecutive year, the U-15 squad won the Challenge Cup state title, and in the process put its name in the record book proving to be second to none.

"This is a team that has several players that have been together since childhood, and they just continue to get better and better," said Morgan, who was in his first year leading the squad. "There is a lot of individual talent, great athletes and there is a really solid chemistry that is really unique. I haven't seen anything like it. Three titles in a row is a first in western South Dakota and the Rushmore Soccer Club."

Eleven players have been with the team for all three state titles with several more playing key roles in two of them.

The victory was made even sweeter because the U-15 team downed Sioux Falls in a best-of-three format to take the title. Sioux Falls is the little sibling who continues to improve and push the Rapid City team, but it is not quite ready to challenge it.

"It was more pressure than ever because Sioux Falls really wanted to beat us, but we played a good game and so did they," striker Kaitlin Haase said. "I was really proud of the team."

The Rapid City team won the first game 1-0 and was up 2-1 in the second when one of its players received a red card, forcing the team to play with one less player the remainder of the game. It proved to be no problem for the U-15 team as it actually expanded its lead to win 4-1.

With another state title in its back pocket, the U-15 team now prepares for its third consecutive trip to the Region II tournament in Rockford, Ill. The team has made steady improvement each time it has made the trip, but it will be looking to get its first win on the bigger stage.

"We need to step it up and we have a goal to get a win there," said team co-captain Megan Anderson.

The team, which has three members from Spearfish and one from Hill City in addition to the Rapid City talent, will participate in opening ceremonies Friday before having a practice and beginning play Saturday in a group that includes teams from Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri.

"We have seen the level of competition there, and the first year I think we were all intimidated, but I think we know what to expect so now we want a win," said co-captain Caroline Wermers.

While the team has had to deal with its share of injuries this season, the one constant has been its defense. Getting a goal in its net proved to be a real feat.

"Tournament after tournament, our defense is so solid and they allow so few goals," said Morgan, who is also the junior varsity girls soccer coach for Rapid City Stevens. "The best offense starts with a good defense."

The defense is led by goalkeeper Rachel Kostaneski, who has been in net for all three titles.

"Our defense is our strongest point because we usually only let in one or two goals in most our games," Kostaneski said. "We have a lot of talent on this team and we wanted to go out and prove it. We are all competitive and having us all be willing to work is important."

The defense may be a big part of the team but any three-time state champion can't be built on just one facet of the game. The Rapid City team is strong through the midfield and has talented strikers as well.

"We work really well together and use each other which I think really helps us," Wermers said.

The development of the team was no more evident this season than at the Real Colorado tournament when the U-15 squad won the U-17 title with a dominating performance over older competition. Now the team built through hard work and determination is hoping to take the next step and breakthrough on an even bigger stage.

Regardless of what happens at the region tournament, the girls will be back in action the following weekend when it takes part in the Rushmore Cup in Rapid City.

said Morgan, who was in his first year leading the squad. "There is a lot of individual talent, great athletes and there is a really solid chemistry that is really unique. I haven't seen anything like it. Three titles in a row is a first in western South Dakota and the Rushmore Soccer Club."

Eleven players have been with the team for all three state titles with several more playing key roles in two of them.

The victory was made even sweeter because the U-15 team downed Sioux Falls in a best-of-three format to take the title. Sioux Falls is the little sibling who continues to improve and push the Rapid City team, but it is not quite ready to challenge it.

"It was more pressure than ever because Sioux Falls really wanted to beat us, but we played a good game and so did they," striker Kaitlin Haase said. "I was really proud of the team."

The Rapid City team won the first game 1-0 and was up 2-1 in the second when one of its players received a red card, forcing the team to play with one less player the remainder of the game. It proved to be no problem for the U-15 team as it actually expanded its lead to win 4-1.

With another state title in its back pocket, the U-15 team now prepares for its third consecutive trip to the Region II tournament in Rockford, Ill. The team has made steady improvement each time it has made the trip, but it will be looking to get its first win on the bigger stage.

"We need to step it up and we have a goal to get a win there," said team co-captain Megan Anderson.

The team, which has three members from Spearfish and one from Hill City in addition to the Rapid City talent, will participate in opening ceremonies Friday before having a practice and beginning play Saturday in a group that includes teams from Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri.

"We have seen the level of competition there, and the first year I think we were all intimidated, but I think we know what to expect so now we want a win," said co-captain Caroline Wermers.

While the team has had to deal with its share of injuries this season, the one constant has been its defense. Getting a goal in its net proved to be a real feat.

"Tournament after tournament, our defense is so solid and they allow so few goals," said Morgan, who is also the junior varsity girls soccer coach for Rapid City Stevens. "The best offense starts with a good defense."

The defense is led by goalkeeper Rachel Kostaneski, who has been in net for all three titles.

"Our defense is our strongest point because we usually only let in one or two goals in most our games," Kostaneski said. "We have a lot of talent on this team and we wanted to go out and prove it. We are all competitive and having us all be willing to work is important."

The defense may be a big part of the team but any three-time state champion can't be built on just one facet of the game. The Rapid City team is strong through the midfield and has talented strikers as well.

"We work really well together and use each other which I think really helps us," Wermers said.

The development of the team was no more evident this season than at the Real Colorado tournament when the U-15 squad won the U-17 title with a dominating performance over older competition. Now the team built through hard work and determination is hoping to take the next step and breakthrough on an even bigger stage.