PHOENIX (Aug. 24) -- Erik Skipper's free kick with 18 minutes remaining lifted 13th-ranked Seattle Pacific University to a season-opening 2-1 win over Grand Canyon in the first round of the Antelope Classic at Hoy Stadium Friday night.

The Falcons (1-0-0), featuring nine new starters and using five freshmen off the bench in the 108-degree heat, never trailed in the match. They opened the scoring after 23 minutes on a flying header by Mike Schefter (So., Yakima, Wa./West Valley) from a cross by Grant Falco (Jr., Spokane, Wa./University).

Grand Canyon's only goal came 30 seconds later . After a foul by SPU defender Mike Pardini (Jr., Pasco, Wa.), Gibra Bicbra converted a penalty kick past goalie James Ward, tying the score 1-1.

Skipper (Sr., Hillsboro, Or./Glencoe), one of only two seniors on the squad, bent his shot around a three-man wall and inside the near post for the game-winner.

Ward (Fr., Salem, Or./Sprague) became the first SPU true freshman top open a season in goal in 19 years. Coach Cliff McCrath elected to go with three returnees, including Schefter's older brother Bobby, along the backline.

The victory was Seattle Pacific's 12th in the last 14 games, dating back to last September. Their only blemishes last season were a tie and a defeat to eventual NCAA Division II champion Cal State Dominguez Hills, the latter in the first round of the playoffs.

SPU faces No. 4-ranked Lewis (Ill.) Monday night in the second round of the tournament. Lewis defeated Western Washington 3-0 in the first round.

Scoring--
1, SPU,.23:00;
2, GCU, Bicbra (penalty kick) 23:30;
3, SPU, Skipper (unassisted) 72:00.

Shots--SPU 8, GCU 6.

Saves--SPU (Ward) 2, GCU (Spaltro) 0.

Corner kicks--SPU 3, GCU 4.

Fouls--SPU 7, GCU 11.

Offside--SPU 1, GCU 0.