SEATTLE (Nov. 6) -- Freshman goalkeeper and sometimes late-game striker James Ward of Seattle Pacific University was voted the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year for men's soccer and was joined by five other Falcons on the first and second all-conference teams announced Tuesday.

Ward (Fr., Salem, Or./Sprague) made the first team along with forward Grant Falco (Jr., Spokane, Wa./University) and midfielder Erik Skipper (Sr., Hillsboro, Or./Glencoe), a repeat selection. Ward posted a goals-against average of 1.46 and also scored three goals and assisted on two others while playing forward. Falco, the SPU top scorer with 20 points, led the GNAC with 10 assists. Skipper was the team co-leader in goals with six.

Named to the second team were forward David Smith (Fr., Corvallis, Or./Corvallis), midfielder Bob Schefter (Sr., Yakima, Wa./West Valley) and defender Mike Pardini (Jr., Pasco, Wa.). Despite missing the first six games through injury, Smith scored six goals. Schefter scored five times and Pardini was second on the team with six assists.

Defenders Tyler Falco (Fr., Spokane, Wa./University) and Matt Laughlin (So., Selah, Wa.) each received honorable mention.

Seattle University's Joe Watson was voted player of the year and the Redhawks' Peter Fewing was coach of the year. SPU, Seattle U. and Western Washington each had three first team selections.