Kayla Saager-Beckley’s Soccer Legacy Lives On Through Players, Families and Colleagues

 Kayla Saager-Beckley, a former Division I soccer player, coach and college recruiting scout, died at 33 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 9, 2026. Her death has brought grief to family, friends, former teammates, athletes and colleagues who knew her through soccer. From her earliest years on Long Island to her work helping young players pursue college opportunities, her career reflected a commitment to the sport and to the people developing within it.

Originally from East Islip, New York, Kayla began playing soccer at age three and developed into an accomplished high school athlete. At East Islip High School, she earned all-state recognition before continuing to the Division I level. Her college career included NC State, West Virginia and Binghamton University, where she became a standout player and team captain. Those years established the foundation that later shaped her work as a coach and mentor.

At Binghamton, Kayla produced one of the strongest seasons of her collegiate career in 2017. She scored 11 goals and added seven assists, earning America East Striker of the Year honors. She was also recognized by Top Drawer Soccer among the nation’s top players. The achievements showed her ability on the field, but her influence did not end with statistics. Leadership and experience became resources she could later pass to younger athletes.

Kayla graduated from Binghamton University in 2019 with a sociology degree and continued playing professionally overseas for FC Slovacko Zeny in the Czech Republic. A career-ending injury eventually ended her playing days, creating a difficult transition for an athlete whose life had revolved around competition. Yet soccer remained central to her future. Rather than leaving the sport behind, she moved toward coaching, development and opportunities that allowed her experience to benefit others.

Her coaching career took her to Troy University, where she joined the women's soccer program as a part-time assistant coach in 2020 and became an assistant coach in 2022. Her responsibilities included player development, recruiting, travel coordination, game planning and film analysis. She also earned a master's degree in health and physical education/fitness from Troy. Her experience gave her perspective on the demands facing college athletes.

Kayla later worked as a college scout with the National Scouting Report, helping student-athletes and families navigate the college recruiting process. Her role extended her connection to soccer in a different direction, helping young players understand a path toward collegiate athletics. In her personal life, she had also begun a new chapter, marrying John Beckley in Sayville, New York, on June 4, 2026. The couple had met through college athletics and later relocated to Tulsa as John continued his Division I football coaching career.

Kayla’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, leaving that part of her story unanswered. What remains clear is the breadth of a life built around soccer, education, mentorship and relationships. Her former teammates, players, colleagues, friends and family are now left with memories of her work and the opportunities she helped others pursue. At 33, her passing represents a profound loss to the people who knew her and athletes who benefited from her guidance. That work gave her career lasting purpose. Her legacy will continue through the players she coached, the families she advised and the influence of a career devoted to helping others find their place in the sport.