Kelly Pierce: Tucson Soccer Legend and Championship Coach

Kelly Pierce spent her entire life on the soccer field. She grew up playing in Tucson, won state championships at Salpointe Catholic High School, and went on to become a standout player at Pima Community College and FC Tucson. Then she became a coach, and she built a dynasty.

Over eight seasons as head coach at Salpointe Catholic, she led the Lancers to six state championships. She was named Desert Conference Coach of the Year. She was, in the words of sportswriter and friend Andy Morales, “the most accomplished female soccer figure in Southern Arizona history.”

On August 1, 2025, Kelly Pierce died suddenly of cardiac arrest. She was 44 years old. She left behind three sons, a community of players who loved her, and a legacy that Tucson has spent the years since building around her memory. Her jersey has been retired at both Salpointe and FC Tucson. A tournament now bears her name. A tribute match opened FC Tucson’s 2026 season. This is her story.

Table of Contents

• Who Is Kelly Pierce?

• Quick Bio Table

• Early Life and Childhood

• Parents and Family Background

• Education

• Career Journey

• Major Achievements

• Marriage and Relationships

• Children

• Personal Life

• Net Worth and Income Sources

• Social Media Presence

• Interesting Facts

• Current Life and Recent Updates

• Public Image and Legacy

• Why People Search for Kelly Pierce

• Common Misconceptions

• Final Thoughts

• FAQ Section

Quick Bio Table

Who Is Kelly Pierce?

Kelly Lou Pierce was an American soccer coach and former player who became the most decorated female soccer figure in Southern Arizona history. She was born on December 4, 1980, and died on August 1, 2025, at age 44.

She played for Salpointe Catholic High School, where she won two state championships, and later at Pima Community College and for the Sonoran Thunder. She played for FC Tucson’s Women’s Premier Soccer League team from 2013 to 2018, serving as captain, before becoming head coach in 2019. She also coached at Mountain View High School and CDO Soccer Club.

She is best known for her tenure as head coach of the Salpointe Catholic girls varsity soccer team, where she won six state championships in eight years.

Early Life and Childhood

Kelly Pierce was born on December 4, 1980, in Tucson, Arizona. She grew up in a family that valued sports and competition. Her brother, Jeff Pierce, would later join Salpointe’s football coaching staff, and the two remained close throughout her life.

She showed leadership from a young age. Family members recalled that she was a child who protected her siblings, an early sign of the fierce advocacy that would define her career. She attended Salpointe Catholic High School, graduating in 1999. As a player there, she was a four-year starter and earned All-State honors while winning back-to-back state championships in 1998 and 1999.

Parents and Family Background

Kelly Pierce was preceded in death by her father, Keith Pierce, who died in 2016. She is survived by her mother, Donna Nagore Pierce, and her brothers, Jeff Pierce and Donald Pierce. Her brother Jeff is a member of Salpointe’s football coaching staff, and the two shared a lifelong bond through sports.

Her family spoke about her leadership skills as a child, describing a girl who “protected her siblings” and advocated for fairness from an early age.

Education

Kelly Pierce attended Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, graduating in 1999. She was a four-year starter on the soccer team and won state championships in 1998 and 1999.

She continued her education and playing career at Pima Community College. She was named All-ACCAC in 2000 while playing for the Aztecs.

Career Journey

Playing Career

Pierce’s playing career spanned nearly two decades. After high school, she played at Pima Community College, where she earned All-ACCAC honors in 2000. She then played for the Sonoran Thunder in the 2002 and 2003 WPSL seasons.

From 2013 to 2018, she was a standout player and captain for FC Tucson’s WPSL team. She contributed to two division titles in 2013 and 2018 and was named to the All-WPSL team, the All-West team, and the Pacific South All-Star team in 2014.

Coaching Career

Pierce began her coaching career at Mountain View High School, where she coached from 2013 to 2017. She then took over the Salpointe Catholic girls varsity soccer program, her alma mater, and built a dynasty.

Over her tenure, she led the Lancers to six state championships: in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025. She also coached at CDO Soccer Club and served as Director of Coaching at BVB International Academy in 2023 and at CDO Soccer Club in 2024.

In 2019, she became head coach of FC Tucson’s women’s team, a position she held until 2023. Her FC Tucson side won the Desert Conference in 2021, earning her conference Coach of the Year honors.

Major Achievements

• Two state championships as a player at Salpointe Catholic (1998, 1999)

• Six state championships as a coach at Salpointe Catholic (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)

• Desert Conference Coach of the Year (2021) with FC Tucson

• WPSL Coach of the Year recipient

• Two division titles with FC Tucson as a player (2013, 2018)

• All-WPSL, All-West Team, and Pacific South All-Star honors as a player (2014)

• Jersey #14 retired by both Salpointe Catholic and FC Tucson Women

Marriage and Relationships

Kelly Pierce was unmarried at the time of her death. She was in a relationship with Joey Bernier, her partner. He survived her, along with her three sons and extended family.

Children

Kelly Pierce was a devoted mother to three sons:

• Tyler Angelly (born approximately 2003)

• Brady Kearnes (born approximately 2008)

• Camden Kearnes (born approximately 2011)

She was described as a single mother who balanced her coaching career with raising her boys. Friends and colleagues noted that her sons were “her everything.” A GoFundMe campaign was established after her death to support her sons’ trust.

Personal Life

Kelly Pierce lived in Tucson, Arizona, her entire life. She was known for her fierce loyalty, her competitive spirit, and her commitment to gender equality in sports. She was a vocal advocate for female athletes and for keeping children safe.

Her personality was described as intense and passionate. She demanded excellence from her players but also cared deeply about them as people. She was a mentor, a mother figure, and a role model to countless young women in Southern Arizona.

Net Worth and Income Sources

There is no publicly available information about Kelly Pierce’s net worth. Her income came from her work as a soccer coach at the high school and club levels.

Social Media Presence

Kelly Pierce did not maintain a significant public social media presence. Her legacy is carried through the tributes posted by her players, colleagues, and the organizations she served.

Interesting Facts

• She won state championships as both a player and a coach at Salpointe Catholic.

• Her jersey number, 14, has been retired by both Salpointe and FC Tucson.

• She was the most accomplished female soccer figure in Southern Arizona history, according to sportswriter Andy Morales.

• She coached at four different levels: high school, club, college, and semi-professional.

• A memorial tournament, the Kelly Pierce Soccer Tournament, was renamed in her honor.

• FC Tucson opened its 2026 season with a tribute match for her.

• Her brother, Jeff Pierce, is a member of Salpointe’s football coaching staff.

• She was preceded in death by her father, Keith Pierce, in 2016.

• A GoFundMe was established to support her three sons.

• She was a fierce advocate for gender equality and child safety.

Current Life and Recent Updates

Kelly Pierce died on August 1, 2025, from sudden cardiac arrest. She was 44 years old.

In the months and years since her death, Tucson’s soccer community has honored her memory in multiple ways. Salpointe Catholic retired her jersey number 14 on January 30, 2026, in a ceremony attended by family, players, and coaches. The women’s portion of the Brandon Bean Tournament was renamed the Kelly Pierce Soccer Tournament, and her family presented the championship trophy in December 2025.

FC Tucson retired her number 14 jersey and opened its 2026 season with a tribute match at Kino North Stadium. The match featured the Kelly Pierce All-Stars, a team of 18 women who played with or under her, ranging in age from 18 to 42.

Public Image and Legacy

Kelly Pierce is remembered as one of the most influential figures in Southern Arizona soccer history. She was a champion as a player, a dynasty-builder as a coach, and a mentor to generations of young women.

Her legacy extends beyond wins and trophies. She was a champion for gender equality, a fierce advocate for children, and a devoted mother. Her players describe her as a “mother figure” and an “older sister” who pushed them to be their best.

The tributes to her since her death reflect the depth of her impact. A GoFundMe raised support for her sons. Memorial T-shirts were sold. Her jersey hangs retired in two different venues. Her name is on a tournament. And every year, FC Tucson will open its season by remembering her.

Why People Search for Kelly Pierce

People search for Kelly Pierce for several reasons:

1. Her sudden death: The unexpected passing of a beloved coach at 44 shocked the Tucson community.

2. Her coaching legacy: She won six state championships at Salpointe Catholic.

3. The tributes: The retired jerseys, the renamed tournament, and the tribute match have kept her name in the news.

4. Her impact on players: Former players continue to speak about her influence on their lives.

5. The Congressional Record: She was honored in the U.S. House of Representatives in September 2025.

Common Misconceptions

She was only a high school coach. Pierce coached at multiple levels, including Pima Community College, Mountain View High School, CDO Soccer Club, and FC Tucson. She also played semi-professionally.

She was in her 30s when she died. Pierce was 44 years old. Some early reports incorrectly listed her age as 43.

She was married. Pierce was unmarried at the time of her death. She was in a relationship with Joey Bernier.

She had no children. Pierce had three sons: Tyler, Brady, and Camden.

Final Thoughts

Kelly Pierce lived her entire life in Tucson, and she gave everything she had to its soccer community. She won championships as a player and a coach. She built a dynasty at her alma mater. She mentored hundreds of young women. And she raised three sons as a single mother.

She died too young, at 44, from cardiac arrest. But the tributes that followed her death make clear that she did not die without leaving a mark. Her jersey is retired. Her name is on a tournament. Her players carry her lessons with them. Her sons have a community that rallied around them.

Kelly Pierce believed in equality for female athletes. She believed in keeping children safe. She believed in demanding excellence and giving love in equal measure. Those beliefs are her legacy, and they will endure for as long as young women lace up their cleats in Tucson.

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