AIR FORCE RUNS IN TO STREAKING RAPIDS OFFENSE AS COLORADO WINS EXHIBITION MATCH 3-1

COLORADO SPRINGS (Wednesday, April 29, 1998) -- The Colorado Rapids defeated the Air Force Academy, 3-1, on Wednesday in an exhibition match at the Cadet Soccer Stadium. Chris Henderson,Wolde Harris and Jason Boyce recorded a goal and an assist apiece in the exhibition victory.

The game was the third-annual contest between the Rapids and Air Force, with the Rapids now leading the exhibition series between the two teams, 2-0-1.

Rapids 1998 second-round college draft choice Jason Boyce opened the scoring in the 10th minute, knocking in a rebound off a Chris Henderson shot. In the 33rd minute it was Henderson himself doing the damage, hitting a low line drive from 25 yards out that beat Air Force keeper Rich Cullen. After halftime, Wolde Harris finished the scoring for Colorado, slotting a shot home from 15 yards out after Cullen made a diving save on a Boyce shot from in close.

Air Force forward Ryan Shaeffer prevented Rapids reserve keeper Paul Grafer from recording a shutout with a solid piece of individual dribbling, before shooting low to the corner to pull a goal back for Air Force with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

The Rapids return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday when they travel to Miami to face former Rapid Matt Kmosko and the expansion Fusion at 5:30 p.m. MST. Colorado then faces the first-place L.A. Galaxy at the Rose Bowl next Wednesday, before returning home to take on the San Jose Clash on May 9 at 7:00 p.m.

RAPIDS LINE-UP: Paul Grafer, Andre Nunely, Peter Vermes (David Adams), Chris Martinez (Gustavo Degadillo), Chris Henderson (Sean Henderson), Ross Paule, Marquinho, Tahj Jakins, Jason Boyce, Wolde Harris, Tyrone Marshall.