Plumbing 
Pete Luna|Leader-News
Lino Rodriguez (No. 7) kicks the ball past a defender during the second half of a soccer match played earlier this season. In action on March 5, Rodriguez scored three goals, including in the match-winning goal in Uvalde’s 5-4 win over Somerset.
The Uvalde Coyotes won their sixth consecutive District 28-4A soccer match as they rallied to record a thrilling 5-4 win over the Somerset Bulldogs at the Uvalde High School soccer field on March 5.
Somerset got off to a 3-1 lead in the first half, but the Coyotes put on a huge comeback in the second half. They outscored the Bulldogs, 3-1, to pull into a 4-4 tie.
The Coyotes then scored the game-winning goal on a wild play that came late in the contest.
With under two minutes remaining, Somerset attempted a shot on goal that was narrowly saved by Uvalde goal keeper Jesus Reyna.
Following the shot, a referee signaled that Somerset had not scored.
Confusion on the field followed as half the Somerset players celebrated what they believed was a goal, while some of the others argued with the ref on his call.
Lino Rodriguez, who had already scored two goals for the Coyotes, called for Reyna to toss him the ball.
Reyna sent the ball to Rodriguez, who dribbled the ball up the field.
A missed slide tackle by a would-be Somerset defender allowed Rodriguez a one-on-one situation with the Somerset goal keeper.
Rodriguez eluded the goal keeper and put in the match-winning shot with 50 seconds to go in the contest.
“It was a wild ending to what was a hard-fought match,” said UHS head soccer coach George Menchaca. “Both teams played with a lot of intensity. We played good soccer, especially in the second half.”
Lino Rodriguez recorded the hat trick as he scored three of Uvalde’s five goals, while James Treviño and Diego Granados each contributed one goal.
Goal keeper Jesus “Chuy” Reyna gave up four goals, but he also came up with five saves.
With the victory over Somerset, the Coyotes extended their winning streak to six matches.
Next action for the Coyotes is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday when they will host the Pearsall Mavericks at the UHS soccer field.
Following the Pearsall match Tuesday, the Coyotes will wind up their regular-season schedule with a home match against the Floresville Tigers on March 19 at UHS.
The Coyotes will enter play against Pearsall Tuesday following a March 8 match against the Hondo Owls at Hondo.
Results from the Hondo match will be reported in an upcoming edition of the Uvalde Leader-News.
Other district matches on March 8 were to include Somerset at Pleasanton and Pearsall at Poteet, while Floresville had a district bye.
Going March 8 action, Floresville, 9-1, was in first place with 27 points, the Coyotes, 7-2, and Somerset, 7-3, were tied for second place with 21 points, while Pleasanton, 6-4, was in fourth place with 18 points.
All four teams have clinched a playoff berth and all that remains to be determined is the seeding order for district teams in the playoffs.
Eventually, District 28-4A playoff teams will take on District 27-4A teams in bi-district competition.
La Vernia currently leads in the 27-4A race, while San Antonio Memorial, Kennedy, and Fox Tech, and Gonzales are locked in a battle for the other three playoff berths in that district.
