IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer is diving headfirst into the next season naming team captains this week of Ivy Williams, Savanna Arruda, and Hailey Clingan..

The veteran trio have spent a considerable amount of minutes locking down the backline and being main pieces toward the program's recent success.

Williams returns to the captaincy after earning the title just following her freshman season. She's been a staple in the lineup since day one with the program missing one match over two seasons while totaling 3,157 minutes played to this point in her career. The second-generation Anteater shared a message - "I'm honored to return as a captain at UCI. This team sets the bar high, and I'm ready to lead, support, and push us all to our best. Go 'Eaters!"

Arruda earns the title as she heads into her fifth season as a goalkeeper with the program. Arruda had minimal action her first three seasons before tag-teaming the 2025 season with Laurynn Ziller. In her eight matches and five starts, she allowed just two goals over 434 minutes while saving 18 shots posting a 1-1-3 record with two shutouts in the process. She's made a huge impression in the classroom working in labs geared toward biomedical engineering and making strides outside of soccer.

"I am extremely thankful to be blessed with the opportunity to represent the team with this title. As one of the senior players, I carry a leadership responsibility to uphold the team and keep us accountable. This is an opportunity to push myself and continue to lead by example both on and off the field. We are entering a phase where the team needs strong leadership and I am very excited to step into this challenge", Arruda remarked about her captaincy as a fifth-year Anteater.

Clingan made 11 appearances in her freshman season before hitting the ground running as a sophomore in 2025 leading the team with 1,712 minutes played patrolling the backline along with Williams and Arruda.
 
Clingan reiterated Arruda's and Williams' sentiments, "I am honored to have been named captain for this program and am excited to see our team develop this season! It means the world to e to be able to support and lead this strong group of women as we push for a Big West Championship!!"

The captains have led their squad into the Spring season which began with matchups against an All-Star squad and at Long Beach State. They continue with road matches at Pepperdine and Concordia along with their lone home Spring contest, March 13 vs. USC in Anteater Stadium.