IRVINE, Calif.-- UC Irvine women's soccer continues to highlight upperclassmen returning post graduation for the 2023 season as dynamic midfielder Gianna Creighton adds to the mix.
 
"I'm super excited to come back for another season! I feel like we have unfinished business as a team and I am thrilled to play with this group of girls again. We're going for another championship season and I believe we can do it again."

Creighton returns for her graduate year and fifth year for the Anteaters. The captain of the midfield graduated as a Public Health Policy major and is back for her master's in the field that she hopes to finish in the Spring of 2024.

Coach Juniper expressed his appreciation on the return of Creighton, another boost to the program on and off the pitch. "Gianna has been the anchor of our midfield for what seems like forever. She's an incredible technician and makes the game look so easy. Her expereience will be key to the fortunes of our team in 2023."

Creighton has been a staple in the defensive third for the 'Eaters who have gone to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons highlighted by upsets No. 2 UCLA in 2021 and No. 14 USC in 2022. In each of those seasons, Creighton was honored on the All-Big West team with a First Team and Second Team nod. She was named All-West Region following the 2021 season. The San Diego-native has started all 63 matches she;s played in and is coming off her first career goal scored in the 2022 campaign.