Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former footballer who made her name in NCAA soccer with Binghamton University before playing professionally in Europe, has died unexpectedly at the age of 30 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The cause of her death is not known. She was pregnant with her first daughter.
Tre Lamb, coach of the Tulsa football team where Kayla’s husband, John Beckley, works as an assistant coach, described how she was found. “She was exercising and, 10 minutes later, they found her unconscious,” Lamb said. He confirmed that Kayla was pregnant with the couple’s daughter, Sawyer, and spoke of the impact on those around her: “It has been a difficult time for our coaching staff. Last night we held a service in her memory. We only ask that you please pray for the Saager and Beckley families.”
Binghamton University confirmed the death. “The Binghamton women’s soccer team is deeply saddened by the passing of Kayla Saager-Beckley,” the programme said in its statement. Her former coach there remembered her as a decisive attacking presence: “Kayla was a dangerous and dynamic forward, with an innate gift for scoring goals, and her contributions helped raise the competitiveness and prestige of our program.”
Saager-Beckley spent her NCAA career across three programmes, representing Binghamton, NC State and West Virginia. Her output at Binghamton was recognised with selection as America East Forward of the Year and a place on the first team All-ECAC. Her averages of 0.53 goals and 1.51 points per match remain the best in the university’s history.
After her college career ended, she continued playing professionally in the Czech Republic. More recently she had moved into a different side of the game, working in the scouting and recruitment of footballers.