Season of achievements ends in state quarterfinals for Independence

All Shawn Conaway could do was smile.

Despite the season-ending loss, 2025 was a truly memorable year for the Independence girls’ soccer team.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these girls,” Conaway said. “All these kids I’ve known since they were five years old, and they’ve worked their butts off.”

Class 2A No. 5 Independence (16-3-1) fell in the state quarterfinals Tuesday in Ames to No. 9 ADM (12-6-1), 2-1.

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“Hats off to ADM,” Conaway said. “They played a heck of a match, and they deserved everything.”

After 50 minutes of scoreless soccer, Jada Grove put ADM on the board with 29:54 remaining.

Grove entered the contest fifth in 2A with 32 goals.

“No. 20 (Grove) is a heck of a player,” Conaway said. “Her ability to switch the field at 40, 50 yards … you don’t see that much in the high school game. That was probably the one thing that we had a hard time adapting to and reacting to.”

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Just 51 seconds later, senior Addison Lange, a University of Northern Iowa commit, responded with a goal off a corner kick.

“This year, corner kicks, the set pieces have really been our biggest offensive weapon,” Conaway said. “Our ability to play in the air was really a catalyst into good situations.”

It was Lange’s team-leading 28th goal of the season.

Lange was a 2A all-state honorable mention and Wamac Player of the Year in 2024.

“She’s special — UNI is getting one heck of a player,” Conaway said. “Her ability to face up and take on players one-vs.-one just isn’t talent you see a whole heck of a lot in high school. And her leadership, her determination, her work ethic … it’s contagious.”

With 19:35 left, Grove fired home a free kick to put the Tigers back on top for good.

The Mustangs came close on several shots down the stretch but couldn’t land one in net.

“This team never gives up — they never quit fighting,” Conaway said. “I wish we were going to be back here Thursday. That’s not the way it’s going to end up, but I could not be more proud of their effort.”

Tuesday was Independence’s second appearance in the state tournament — first since 2011.

“This season was very special,” Conaway said. “I saw a little change in the girls around the Norwalk game (May 3), and I think they really started to believe they were as good as anybody in the state. We didn’t concede any goals from that point on — played lockdown defense and very smart soccer.

“I think that was the turning point for us.”

The Mustangs 16 wins in 2025 are a program high. Independence went 10-0 in Wamac play, taking the East division crown.

“I’m just kind of soaking it all in,” Conaway said. “You process everything after something like this. I think the main thing is that we realize it could have gone either way, and to not hang our heads, but to be proud of our achievements.”