ESPN RISE

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- While there was no question the ball ended up in the back of the net, figuring out who was responsible remains a mystery.

In stoppage time, 1993 Region IV scored the decisive goal in a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind victory Sunday over 1993 Region II in the U.S. Youth Soccer Boys ODP Inter-Regional contest as part of the Disney Showcase at the Wide World of Sports complex here.

"I'll take credit for it," Blake Steele said. But when asked if he really scored it, he laughed and said, "No, I didn't even touch it."

The Region IV coach then turned to Juan Mendoza, who scored the team's first goal as the California-dominated squad rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the final 30 minutes. Mendoza said he should get the assist since he let a teammate take the free kick.

In the end, it was ruled an own goal, and the result positions the 1993 Region IV team atop the group standings and in prime position to advance to Tuesday's championship match against the top finisher in the 1992 age group.

In the other contests Sunday, 1992 Region I edged 1992 Region III on a fluke goal by rising star Kofi Agyapong, 1992 Regions II and IV played to a 1-1 draw, and 1993 Region I pulled out a 2-1 victory over 1993 Region III.

In the 1992 bracket, Region I stands at 2-0-0 and is guaranteed a spot in either the championship or third-place match Tuesday. Region III is 1-1 followed by Regions II and IV, both 0-1-1. In the 1993 bracket, Regions I and III are 1-1, close behind Region IV. Region II is 0-2.

In both age groups, Region I and II square off while Regions II and IV go head-to-head Monday.

Here are the highlights from Sunday's matches:

1992 Region I 1, 1992 Region III 0: Agyapong hit a low shot from distance in the 56th minute, which Region III keeper Preston Langholz, one of the nation's top keepers, misplayed, allowing the ball to slip between his legs, hit off the inside of the post and carom into the goal.

1992 Region II 1, 1992 Region IV 1: Hamad Jaman scored in the 56th minute to pull Region II even after Moises Orozco gave Region IV a lead in the 29th minute.

1993 Region I 2, 1993 Region III 1: Ryan Tauss scored in the 58th minute to break a 1-1 contest. Mark Leibensperger gave Region I the lead in the eighth minute. Kevin Pahl, a local from nearby Lakeland, Fla., scored to even the match in the 45th minute.

In the Region II vs. Region IV featured match, Region II built what seemed to be a comfortable lead on goals by Jason Stacy (16th) and Eric Miller (46th). Region IV rallied with goals by Mendoza in the 51st and James Rogers in the 60th to even the match.

Under-17 Showcase

Blue: Lonestar SC (Texas) made things difficult for Chelsea's youth team, but the English side pulled out a 1-0 victory to likely seal its position in Tuesday's Showcase Blue final. Chelsea is 2-0. Lonestar fell to 1-1. Lonestar needs a Chelsea loss by multiple goals in Monday's final group contest  a feat unlikely given Chelsea is playing winless Lower Merion (Pa.). & Javanon (Ky.) and Solar (Texas) are tied in points through two days, although Solar holds the goal differential edge going into Monday's competition. The winner of this group likely will face Chelsea in the final.

White: The Dallas Texans (Texas) and YMS Explosion (Pa.) go head-to-head Monday with the winner advancing to the final. In the event of a draw, the Texans advance. & Things are not as clear cut in Bracket B where Triangle FC's (N.C.) 5-0 win Sunday over Eclipse Select (Ill.) leaves three teams in the hunt for the top spot. Concorde Fire (Ga.) leads the group with a 2-0 record. Triangle and Eclipse are 1-1. Eclipse faces Concorde on Monday, and a win by the Chicago side could leave the group in a three-way tie for first.

Around the Complex

In what is becoming a competition within the competition, Region II (Midwest) and Region IV (West) are using a football as a trophy for futbol results.

Two years ago at the Disney Showcase, Region IV administrator Steve Bircsak found a regulation NFL football during one of the region's games against a Region II opponent. Bircsak decided to "award" the football to the region that fared better in games between the regions.

"[Bircsak] claimed Region IV won it the past two years, so he kept it," laughed Region II administrative assistant Jerry Ku. "He couldn't stop from bragging about it, so we said, 'Show us the ball.' He brought it today and gave it to us just before the game. We plan on hanging on to it for a couple of years to even things up."

The tally between Regions II and IV include both the Thanksgiving and Christmas Disney events. Region II held a lead on goal differential entering the day thanks to Region II's 3-0 win over Region IV in the 1995 birth year meeting in November.

A late goal, however, by Region IV in the 1993 birth year group Sunday for a 3-2 win swung the tally back to the West Coast's favor  posting a 2-1-1 record in the four meetings.

"Whether we win it, deservedly or arguably, we're going to try to keep [the football]," Ku said.

Sheldon Shealer covers soccer for ESPN RISE.