Independence girls’ soccer led by UNI commit Addison Lange

WILLIAMSBURG — The Mustangs aren’t taking any shortcuts.

Class 2A’s seventh-ranked Independence girls’ soccer team is leveraging every opportunity to play the best of the best — even if it means going out of state.

On April 11, the Mustangs took a charter to Kansas City for a match against Notre Dame de Sion. The Storm are No. 5 in Missouri’s Class 3, according to the latest Missouri Soccer Power Rankings, and were last season’s Class 2 state champions.

“They are hands down the best high school soccer team I’ve ever seen,” Independence Coach Shawn Conaway said. “They have like four Division I commits. We have one, but we held our own.”

While Notre Dame de Sion won, 2-0, the match was competition the Mustangs actively sought out.

“The girls fundraised to do it,” Conaway said. “Chartering down there and playing that team, it was a wonderful experience. They had wonderful facilities and wonderful people there. It was an opportunity these girls will never forget.”

In Iowa, the Mustangs have been dominant.

Led by University of Northern Iowa commit Addison Lange, Independence is 9-1-1 and 7-0-0 in the Wamac. Lange was a 2A all-state honorable mention and Wamac Player of the Year in 2024.

“She’s the catalyst and the quarterback wherever we play her,” Conaway said. “Addy’s a workhorse and really gives all the effort that any coach could ever ask for. She keeps the team’s motor running.”

Lange has a team-high 16 goals, four of which came in a 10-0 win against Williamsburg on Tuesday.

“My defense did a great job of giving me the ball,” Lange said. “Same with my midfielders. There were some great through balls and corners we’ve been doing really well on.”

Another key for Independence has been playing stout defense. It’s been a point of emphasis all year for the Mustangs.

“I looked at several of the past 10 years of state champions and kind of focused on two (Waverly-Shell Rock and Dallas Center-Grimes),” Conaway said. “Their formula has been shutdown defense. They don’t concede goals. That was my challenge for the girls this year.”

Through 11 games, the Mustangs have allowed just four goals. Goalkeeper Lindsay Beyer has 17 saves.

“We’re going to have to keep defending like we’ve been,” Lange said. “Our defense is playing really well right now.”

They’ll get another chance to face top-tier competition Friday and Saturday at the Dallas Center-Grimes/Urbandale Invitational.

First up is a match Friday against Class 1A No. 2 Sioux City Bishop Heelan (8-2-0). They’ll play 2A No. 5 Norwalk (5-1-3) on Saturday.

“Those two teams, they’ll give us everything we need, plus some,” Conaway said. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

Independence brought back all 11 starters from a team that fell one game short of reaching the state tournament last year, falling in a double-overtime shootout to North Scott in the regional finals.

The Mustangs believe they have the talent, depth and experience with high-caliber competition to be where they want at season’s end — in Ames for the state tournament.

“I think technically and fundamentally we are good enough to play with anybody in the state,” Conaway said. “Are we mentally prepared to do that? That is the question.”