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FLORIDA BEACHES MAKE HUGH SPLASH IN HOME OPENER!!
Monday October 11, 2004
The new look Florida Beaches took on the Orlando Sirens in their
home opener at the Lake Worth Ice Zone. Both Beaches teams
were victorious with the B team winning both of their games 4-1 and
2-1, while the C team skated to two exciting 1-0 victories. Full Story

The first game of the season proved to be a tight affair with the
games only goal being scored by Amanda Strickland at 8:12 of the
second period assisted by Liz Settle. Settle sent a cross ice pass
to Strickland who slid the puck past Sirens netminder to notch the
only goal of the first "C" team game. The second game found the
lone goal was scored by none other than Katie "The Iron Woman"
Howard with an assist from Kelly Taylor. Howard slipped one past
the Sirens netminder with 1:01 left in the third period to seal the
deal in a real nail biter and send the "C"squad off the ice to
celebrate their well earned second victory of the young season.
The games were both back and forth affairs with great defense and
quality scoring chances by both squads. Winning goalies for the
games were Amy Levine and Laura Bulla. Amy and Laura both
turned in strong performances making key saves to keep the Sirens
off the board. This allowed the time necessary for the victories to
be had by their teams. They were both aided by super defensive
efforts by their teammates.

The B squad came on the ice for their first game in dominant
fashion. Lead by Linda Belanger with two goals and an assist, they
were able to skate to an early 3 goal lead in the first period and
then hold off the Sirens for their game one victory. Sarah Caza and
Susanne Lawson also scored for the Beaches first season win.
The second game proved a much more physical struggle. Sarah
Caza began the scoring with a unassisted goal in the second period
on a bad clearing attempt by the Sirens goalie. The Beaches with 6
minutes to go then took a penalty. With the Beaches down a player
the second and game deciding goal was set up when Linda
Belanger was able to chase down a clearing pass and slide it over
to a hard charging Sarah Caza who one timed it into the Sirens net.
The team was then able to hang on to the one goal lead and notch
their second victory with a slim margin win over a very determined
Sirens squad. Winning goalies were Louise Koski and Susan
Eichler. Lousie Koski was not given a great test by the Sirens but
came up big with a great glove save in the second period to keep
the Sirens at bay. Susan Eichler was given a peppering in the
second game and except for a defensive breakdown that lead to a
breakaway goal she staved off the Sirens to notch her first victory
of the early season.

Both squads return to action in Orlando over the Halloween
weekend October 30th and 31st at the FWHL's first Jamboree.