Philip Caporale, a 31-year old head soccer coach at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Newfield, was killed Sunday morning, May 20, after the SUV he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer in Franklin Township.
Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday, Caporale was traveling east on Harding Highway when his Chevrolet Tracker crossed over into the westbound lane, striking a westbound tractor-trailer driven by 51-year-old Alfred LaPollo of Monroe Township.
Caporale began coaching in 2004, winning 101 games as head of the Villagers’ soccer team, which has won the last two Cape-Atlantic League National Conference Division Titles.
A few weeks ago, Caporale was presented with a certificate at the all-girls’ high school’s 50th anniversary gala, for his 100th career victory last fall.
On Monday, current and former soccer players under Caporale came together to remember their teacher on the soccer field where he taught them.