There was no stopping Kasson-Mantorville forward Antonio Rodriguez on Saturday as he scored three goals in a 3-2 victory over Austin at Wescott Field.
The host Packers held a 2-1 lead over the K-M KoMets at halftime and it carried on well into the second half, but it didn't last.
Rodriguez scored the game's first goal midway through the first half, before Jack Lynch countered for the Packers with a pair of scoring strikes late in the first half. The defenses then took over for the next 35 minutes.
The tide turned against the Packers after a controversial call with 12 minutes, 13 seconds left in the game. With his team trailing 2-1, Rodriguez broke past the Austin defenders and was knocked off the ball by Tony Nace.
The referee ruled interference and Rodriguez was awarded a penalty shot. The K-M forward fired the ball past Austin goalie Luke Green and the game was tied at 2-2. Rodriguez then sealed the deal at 3:30 left with the final goal.
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"They had a sweeper hanging back most of the game, but after that second goal it forced him to come up," K-M coach Paul Greene said. "Once they moved up, there was nobody to contain Antonio. He's a prolific scorer and leads our team with 11 goals on the season."
There were 15 minutes left to play, when the Packers missed a close scoring opportunity. Lynch fired a pass to Seth Arnold in front of the K-M net, but the ball hit the crossbar. The missed scoring chances would haunt the Packers in the final minutes.
"We played Austin in our first match of the season and the kids were a little intimidated going up against a Big Nine Conference team," Greene said. "This time, we knew that we could play with them. After holding the early lead, then blowing it, and then coming back to win, it was a good road trip."
K-M (8-3) returns to Hiawatha Valley League play with a home game on Tuesday against Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa.
Mayo dominates Winona
The Rochester Mayo boys soccer team remained unbeaten in Big Nine Conference play with an 8-0 win over Winona on Saturday in Winona.
Mayo took a 5-0 lead at halftime, on two goals by Pete Bartleson, and goals by Brandon Schlichter, Mark Zietlow and John Zietlow.
Schlichter got his second goal 14 minutes into the second half and Bartleson completed his hat trick. Wade Piazza got the final goal.
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"This was a vintage Spartan game, dominating it from start to finish," said Mayo coach Charles Abboud. Mayo outshot Winona 36-10.
The Spartans, now 9-1-1 overall, are in action again Tuesday, when they play host to crosstown rival Century.
Apple Valley beats JM
The Rochester John Marshall boys lost 7-0 to Apple Valley in a non-conference game Saturday at JM Stadium.
The defeat ended a two-game winning streak for the Rockets.
JM coach Tony Birch said the Rockets couldn't generate any offense against the Eagles.
Apple Valley had control by halftime with a 4-0 lead.
JM is 4-6-1 overall. Next for the Rockets are four road games, starting Tuesday at Mankato East.
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JM girls fall to Eagan
The John Marshall girls soccer team couldn't match offenses with Eagan and lost 8-1 in a non-conference game Saturday at Eagan.
"Basically our girls didn't show up to play," said JM coach Kevin Lowery.
Katie Quinones scored JM's only goal.
The Rockets are 3-7-1 overall after the loss.
