BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Agustin Modica netted a hat-trick as Gimnasia Mendoza edged to a 3-2 away win over Gimnasia La Plata in Argentina's Clausura tournament on Saturday.
Modica scored twice in the first half but the hosts equalized through goals from Agustin Auzmendi and Maximiliano Zalazar after halftime.
The visitors regained the lead when Modica struck his third goal in the 76th minute as Gimnasia Mendoza secured its fourth win in six games.
"I'm really happy. This is better than anything I've ever experienced," said Modica, who is the competition's leading scorer with eight goals so far.
"You just have to push through the tough times, especially when you can't seem to find the back of the net. Confidence is everything," added the Italy-born 23-year-old.
Elsewhere in Argentina's top flight on Saturday, Atletico Tucuman was held to a goalless home draw by Instituto Cordoba, Independiente Rivadavia drew 0-0 at Independiente, Huracan drew 0-0 at home to Deportivo Riestra, and Newell's Old Boys prevailed 2-1 at home to Banfield. ■
