MATCH REPORT — Athletic Club Boise at Sarasota Paradise
Saturday March 7, 2026
Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
Athletic Club Boise Earns First Win in Club History, Defeats Sarasota Paradise 1–0
Despite a one-hour, forty-minute weather delay, Athletic Club Boise earned its first win in club history Saturday night, defeating Sarasota Paradise 1–0 behind a 75th-minute goal from Denys Kostyshyn at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. Goalkeeper Joseph Andema recorded a clean sheet in his professional debut to secure the result.
Match Summary
First Half
Athletic Club Boise controlled much of the first half and created several early chances. Kostyshyn and Luan Figueiroa Brito both tested the Sarasota defense in the opening stages, while Alex Sutton was called into action to deny efforts from Tumi Moshobane and Blake Bodily. Sarasota appeared to take the lead in the 32nd minute following a free kick from the left side, but the goal was waved off for offside. The visitors continued to generate dangerous moments, including several late corner kicks during a sustained stretch of pressure, but the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Second Half Build
Boise maintained the pressure after the restart, with Kostyshyn creating multiple opportunities in the opening minutes of the second half. Sarasota’s best chance came in the 69th minute when Jonathan Bolaños forced a save from Joseph Andema, but the Boise goalkeeper pushed the attempt away to keep the match level.
Turning Point
The breakthrough arrived in the 75th minute when Blake Bodily delivered a pass into the box for Denys Kostyshyn, who finished from close range to score the first goal in club history and give the visitors a 1–0 lead. Sarasota pushed forward late in search of an equalizer, creating several chances in the closing minutes, but Andema and the Boise defense held firm through stoppage time to secure the club’s inaugural victory.
Next Up
Athletic Club Boise returns to action on March 22 following a bye week, traveling to face Union Omaha at Werner Park.
Debuts
The match marked professional debuts for Joseph Andema, Omar Yehya, and Moussa Ndiaye.
Quotes
Nate Miller | Head Coach
- “It’s a special moment. A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this, and we felt a real responsibility to deliver the club’s first win. To get our first goal, our first clean sheet, and our first victory all on the same night is incredibly special. I’m just delighted for the players, the ownership group, and our fans — even the ones we haven’t properly met yet.”
- “After the goal we didn’t manage the game perfectly, but what I saw were guys willing to die on the field to defend the goal. At this stage I care just as much about that human element as the tactical element. The guys dug in during those last minutes and saw out the result. I’m really proud of them.”
Joseph Andema | Goalkeeper
- “I felt prepared coming in after the work we put in during preseason. I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect, but once the game started I just tried to play free and enjoy it. The whole team defended incredibly well — guys were putting their bodies on the line to keep the clean sheet, and it was an awesome way to start.”
Denys Kostyshyn | Central Attacking Midfielder
- “Blake made an amazing run and I just ran into the box and put my foot on the ball — honestly it’s mostly his goal. To score the first goal in the history of the club is an incredible feeling. I’m very thankful to my teammates, the coaches, the ownership, and the fans who traveled so far to support us.”
Implications
The victory moves Athletic Club Boise to 1–0–0 in its inaugural USL League One season, marking the first win in club history.
Athletic Club Boise returns to action on March 22 with a road match at Union Omaha. The Owls won the 2024 USL League One title and reached the 2025 playoffs after finishing fifth in the regular-season standings.
Box Score & Video Highlights
Full box score available HERE.
Video highlights available HERE.