NEED TO KNOW
Former soccer star and longtime coach Kelly Pierce died last week of cardiac arrest
The Arizona mother of three led Salpointe Catholic in Tucson to six girls state championships
“Kelly’s life was about her sons, her family and soccer,” a GoFundMe organizer wrote
An Arizona community is mourning the loss of a local soccer star and coach who died last week at the age of 44.
Kelly Pierce died on Friday, Aug. 1 from cardiac arrest, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
The former FC Tucson star coached her alma mater Salpointe Catholic in Tucson to six girls state soccer championships over eight years beginning in 2018.
Pierce also won two state championships while on the team in 1998 and 1999.
The mother of three was widely known in the area for her soccer talent, and had been involved in youth soccer for nearly 20 years, according to a GoFundMe organized on her behalf.
FC Tucson
Kelly Pierce
“Kelly’s death and soccer accolades have been announced by local, state and national media,” organizer Rebecca Collins wrote. “She was an inspiration to not only her family but many young women during her career as a player and then a coach, including Pima Community College, Mountain View High School, Salpointe Catholic High School, CDO soccer league, and FC Tucson.”
Collins shared that Pierce was an inspiration to young female athletes, instilling “self confidence and their power as individuals.”
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“She was the unspoken leader among her cousins, who all respected her, loved her and looked up to her,” she added.
Local sportswriter Andy Morales shared a tribute to his friend on X.
“She is the most accomplished female soccer figure in Southern Arizona history,” he wrote. “There can be no argument there.”
Pierce leaves behind three sons — Tyler, 22, Brady, 17, and Camden, 14 — and extended family members.
“She will leave a huge hole in this family and will be dearly missed,” Collins wrote. “She knew her plan in life and was always confident. Kelly’s life was about her sons, her family and soccer.”
Read the original article on People
