Kayla Saager, former Binghamton soccer captain, dies at 30

Former Binghamton University women’s soccer captain Kayla Saager-Beckley has passed away in Tulsa at the age of 30, just months after her wedding. The Binghamton athletic department confirmed the news on Thursday, September 10.

Saager, a 2019 graduate, was a standout athlete for the Bearcats. She was a two-time all-region player and was named the America East Striker of the Year in 2017. During her two seasons with the team, she scored 22 goals and helped lead the program to an America East conference championship.

Head coach Neel Bhattacharjee described Saager as a “dangerous and dynamic forward” whose contributions helped elevate the reputation of the soccer program. She is survived by her husband, John Beckley, her parents, and her two sisters. No cause of death has been released.