43-Year-Old Soccer Coach Dies Suddenly

Kelly Pierce, a prominent soccer coach in Southern Arizona, died suddenly on Friday after reportedly experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

She was 43.

Pierce was a former player and head coach of amateur soccer club FC Tucson Women.

“Kelly was a talented and charismatic leader both as a player and a coach,” Tucson founder Jon Pearlman said, according to Daily Mail.

“She was committed to elevating not just women’s soccer but all women’s sports as a champion for gender equality,” Pearlman added.

Southern Arizona women’s soccer coach dies unexpectedly from cardiac arrest https://t.co/c5QbOS9O2G pic.twitter.com/QLadKLkJjt

— New York Post (@nypost) August 3, 2025

More from the New York Post:

In addition, Pierce was a high school soccer coach for Salpointe Catholic, where she lead the women’s team to four state championships during her eight-year tenure.

During her playing days at FC Tucson Women, Pierce was also the head coach of the women’s soccer program at Mountain View High School in Tucson.

“I first met Kelly as a teammate in 2016 and quickly came to admire her leadership both on and off the field; her strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication stood out not just as a player but as a person,” Caylee Carter, the current head coach of FC Tucson Women, told KGUN9.

“FC Tucson regrets to announce that former standout FC Tucson Women’s player and head coach, Kelly Pierce, has passed away suddenly today,” FC Tucson stated.

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, former players and staff, as well as those who had the privilege of knowing and competing alongside her,” it added.

FC Tucson regrets to announce that former standout FC Tucson Women’s player and head coach, Kelly Pierce, has passed away suddenly today.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends, former players and staff, as well as those who had the privilege of knowing and competing… pic.twitter.com/WZu1QFMNoq

— FC Tucson (@FCTucson) August 2, 2025

Daily Mail noted:

Arizona-based Pierce, who was coaching at Salpointe Catholic High School, leaves behind three sons and a partner, Joey. She won six state championships in eight years at Salpointe and also played for the team in her youth.

‘It is with heavy hearts that the Salpointe community shares the news of varsity women’s soccer Coach Kelly Pierce’s passing,’ the school said.

‘Kelly was a member of the class of 1999 and led the Lancers to six state championships in the past eight years.

‘Our prayers are with her sons Tyler, Brady and Camden, partner Joey Bernier, brother Jeff Pierce (member of our football coaching staff), her large extended family and the players that she loved so much.’

The current Tucson women’s head coach Caylee Carter said Pierce was ‘a role model who paved the way for female equality in the community.’

Carter added: ‘I am heartbroken by her sudden passing. She leaves behind more than a legacy but a community of players, coaches, friends and family who will miss her deeply.’

News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV provided additional coverage: