University of Evansville incoming freshmen Joel Craig, Peter May and Derek Rehagen, and sophomore Brandon Causey, are headed to Fox Cities, Wis. this weekend to play for separate teams in the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Championships.

"Traditionally, the top youth teams in the country have competed for U.S. Youth Soccer state, regional and national championships," says UE Head Coach Mike Jacobs. "We're fortunate to have so many different Aces with the opportunity to compete for these valuable titles."

Causey, who stepped into a starting role as a freshman for the Aces in 2010, plays for Javanon FC, the U19 U.S. Youth Soccer state champion of Kentucky. Craig is a member of Team Ohio Blast FC, winner of the U18 Ohio South State Championship, and May helped lead United 96 Internationals to the U18 Kentucky title.  On its way to winning the championship, May's team defeated squads that included two other UE freshmen: Dylan Terry's Mockingbird Valley FC and Zach Byrd's Lexington FC. Also competing in the U18 division at Fox Cities will be Rehagan, whose St. Louis Scott Gallagher team earned a wild card bid to the Midwest Championships.

The state and regional events are a part of the annual US Youth Soccer National Championship Series that features over 10,000 teams in different age categories, each competing for a chance to advance from state, to region and ultimately the national championship.  Each regional championship will consist of three days of preliminary games followed by elimination rounds to determine the field of 60 teams for the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships.