After training with the United States women's national soccer team during her senior year at Monmouth, she switched to playing as a defender. Pearce's first game was February 28, 1997 versus Australia. She tallied her first national team goal on May 2, 1997, in a match versus South Korea. Pearce started 16/18 games in her first season and finished with two goals and three assists. The following year, Pearce helped her team to its first undefeated season and led the United States to gold in the 1998 Goodwill Games by starting in both matches.