Aric Spader was a Soccer Graduate Assistant from 2015-16 and was elevated to Assistant Coach in 2017. The Vikings made it to the NCAA Tournament in each of Spader's three season as a full-time assistant coach.
In 2019 the Vikings went 16-5-1 and won the second-most games in program history. They went to the NSIC Tournament for the seventh-consecutive season, NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history.
In his second full season as an assistant coach, Spader helped guide the 2018 Vikings to a 12-6-3 record and NCAA Tournament appearance for the second year in a row, fifth time in school history and fourth time in the last five years. Augustana also advanced to the NISC Tournament for the sixth-consecutive season.
With Spader's assistance in 2017, Augustana made its fourth NCAA tournament in program history and advanced to the NCAA Second Round for the second time in school history, finishing the season with a record of 14-4-5 (11-1-3 NSIC). The Vikings went on to break the school single season shutout record with 14 shutouts and made its third consecutive NSIC tournament final, finishing as runner-ups for the second straight season.
Spader had a hand in seven All-NSIC selections, one CCA All-Region honoree, five NSIC Players of the Week and four NSIC All-Tournament performers. Academically, the Vikings had their second and third CoSIDA Academic All-District recipients (Hannah Keirstead and Courtney Almendinger) and Keirstead became the first Viking soccer student-athlete to win the distinction twice.
In Spader’s second season as a Graduate Assistant for women’s soccer at Augustana in 2016, Spader helped the Vikings to a record of 13-5-3 (10-2-3 NSIC) finishing fourth in the NSIC standings and concluding their season in the NSIC Tournament title match.
The 13 wins in 2016 are tied for the third most in school history. Offensively, during the 2016 season Augustana scored the fifth most goals (38) in a single season in school history. Defensively, the Vikings produced the fourth best goalie save percentage (.849) and shutouts (6) in a single season and the fifth lowest goals against avg. (1.00).
With Spader’s assistance the Vikings had seven student-athletes earn All-NSIC recognition in 2016. Augustana had one first team honoree, two on the second team, three on the third team and one earn honorable mention.
The Vikings had four student-athletes named to the NSIC All-Tournament team. Augustana advanced to the NSIC Tournament title match for the second consecutive season after defeating No. 5 seed Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinals and the No. 1 seed Minot State in the semis. The Vikings fell to No. 2 seed Minnesota State in the finals. Augustana was the No. 4 seed in the tournament.
In his first season with the Vikings he helped guide the team to their first ever NSIC Tournament championship when they defeated Winona State 1-0.
The NSIC tournament victory also clinched the programs third ever NCAA Tournament Berth. In the 2015 NCAA tournament the Vikings won their first ever NCAA tournament match by defeating Harding University 2-1.
With Spader’s help the Vikings broke numerous season records in 2015 including points scored (117), Game Winning goals (19), Assists (35), shots attempted (398), shots on goal (181), Goals against average (0.65), Wins (19), shutouts (11) and games played (23). The Vikings also set a record for All-NSIC honorees with seven and for the first time had an athlete selected to the NSIC All-Tournament team (4).
Spader played four years of high school soccer at Washington High School, and six years of club soccer for Dakota Gold. He played collegiality at Mount Marty College, where his career was cut short due to injury. After transferring South Dakota State after his playing days were over, Spader immediately began his coaching career with Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, and with local high school soccer teams in the Sioux Falls area.
In 2014, Spader was an assistant at Roosevelt High School, helping guide the girls’ soccer team to a 9-2-1 record, which was good enough to qualify for postseason play. The team also played an exciting brand of soccer on the field, scoring 28 goals on the year.
Spader has been a club coach for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club for the past five years, coaching a variety of age groups. He has had at least one of his teams win the South Dakota State Cup and qualify for the regional tournament. To go along with that, 13 of the 16 girls listed on the U18 girls roster went on to play college soccer ranging from Division I to NAIA. The former Washington High graduate currently holds a USSF National "C" License.
Spader graduated from SDSU in 2015 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Spader earned a master's degree from Augustanta in Sports Administration and Leadership in May of 2017.
