Sarasota Paradise won their regular season finale after goals from Romeo Dahlen, George Waites, and Nate Lam.
Paradise secured a 3-0 victory in front of a club USL League Two attendance record of 1,860 fans. The team found the net in the first half when Romeo Dahlen scored off a deflection that chipped over the keeper and into the net.
George Waites doubled the lead with a strike from outside the box in the 46th minute.
The scoring continued in stoppage time, as Nate Lam fired one past the keeper to make it 3-0 Sarasota.
“It’s one of the best feelings as a coach. Coming into the last game knowing we don’t need it, but we still compete at a high level for our fans and our community,” said Head Coach Mirko Djakovic when asked about the team’s mentality coming into the regular season finale after winning the division earlier in the week. He also referred to the Paradise faithful as a “12th man.”
Sunrise Irrigation Player of the Game Felipe Rojas said, “Really excited that this team is moving into the playoffs. It’s evident that the community around this team is growing.”
Sarasota Paradise will host the Conference Quarterfinal and Semi-Final, taking place on Friday, July 18, and Sunday, July 20. Kickoff for the Quarterfinal is set for 7:30 PM. Sarasota’s opponent is still to be determined and will be announced soon.
Tickets to each game are available at sarasotaparadise.us/playoffs