Seabreeze graduate Luke Harrell (right) is the youngest player on Shark Coast FC's USL2 team. Harrell is headed to Brown University next month. Photo by Blythe Photography
Flagler Palm Coast rising senior Hailey Sammons has been playing for Shark Coast FC's United Premier Soccer League Women's team this summer. Courtesy photo
Hailey Sammons (left) gains control of the ball in a game for Shark Coast FC‘s UPSLW team. Courtesy photo
Luke Harrell gets drenched on his 18th birthday by his Shark Coast FC teammates. Photo by Blythe Photography
Nate Monsanto (left) with his father, Reg Monsanto, at the Senior High School All-Star Classic at Daytona State College in 2023. File photo by Michele Meyers
Luke Harrell, a recent Seabreeze High School graduate, used to drive to Oviedo regularly to play club soccer. This summer, the Ormond Beach resident’s drive has been cut down by about two-thirds, and he’s playing in the highest level of amateur soccer in the United States.
Harrell and Flagler Palm Coast High School rising senior Hailey Sammons are playing soccer for Shark Coast FC in New Smyrna Beach, a third-year club that has grown to over 500 players who play in recreation leagues, competitive travel teams and senior semi-pro and pre-pro teams.
Nate Monsanto, the sporting director at Shark Coast FC, wants the club to become a springboard to the highest levels of soccer for players in Volusia and Flagler counties. That’s something that wasn’t available when Monsanto played soccer at Flagler Palm Coast and Stetson University before navigating the waters of pro soccer.
“It’s very difficult when you’re not attached to a bigger name to break into the higher levels,” he said.
Many local players with college soccer aspirations travel to clubs in the Jacksonville or Orlando areas. Monsanto said Shark Coast FC is trying to keep local players at home.
Harrell is playing for Shark Coast’s United Soccer League Two team (USL2), a pre-professional summer league predominately for high-level college players. It’s on the fourth rung of the U.S. soccer league system pyramid under the three professional tiers — Major League Soccer, USL Championship and USL League One.
Harrell, who is beginning his freshman year at Brown University next month, is the youngest player on the Shark Coast USL2 team.
“Being the youngest guy, everyone was super supportive,” Harrell said. “The experience and knowledge I’ve gained the last two months has really bolstered my skill and helped me get acclimated to college soccer, not only on the physical level but the focus you need. These guys push you to be 100% focused all the time, to focus your energy on the team’s goal.”
Sammons plays on Shark Coast’s United Premier Soccer League Women team. The UPSLW is a pro-development league.
FPC assistant girls soccer coach Cat Bradley encouraged Sammons to try out.
“I think she was a little hesitant, because it’s a big step,” Bradley said. “We went down to New Smyrna together. I wanted to see her get out of her comfort level.”
Sammons’ FPC teammate, goalie Natalie Neal, who is an incoming freshman for two-time national junior college champ Daytona State College, was already playing for Shark Coast’s UPSLW team. So, Neal’s presence may have eased any butterflies Sammons had.
Neal, who had 539 saves and 37 clean sheets in her high school career, has started in two or three games for Shark Coast with one clean sheet, said Monsanto, who coaches the women's team.
Monsanto saw Sammons’ U18 club team play against Shark Coast’s youth 17 girls team and invited her to join the higher level squad.
There are [NCAA Division I and Division II] girls playing at a very high competitive level ... I try to play how they play. Each day I have to be better than I was yesterday. I love the challenge that it gives me.
— HAILEY SAMMONS
“It’s a very huge difference from what I’m used to,” Sammons said. “There are [NCAA Division I and Division II] girls playing at a very high competitive level in the games and even at practices. I try to play how they play. Each day I have to be better than I was yesterday. I love the challenge that it gives me.”
She’s played in four of Shark Coast’s six games and started two games. She has scored two goals, Monsanto said.
“She has really good stats for a high school junior playing in a women’s semi-pro league,” Monsanto said.
Shark Coast won the UPSLW Central Florida Conference and will play in the state final on Thursday, July 9, against Miami Grove at a midpoint neutral site in Palm City.
“We’re going to go in and hopefully crush them,” Sammons said. “That way we can go to [California] for nationals. I’m excited.”
Sammons, who has mostly played defensive midfielder, played a few games at striker for FPC last season and finished the year with 11 goals, third on the team. Monsanto has put her there full time this summer.
“The striker position is new to her, but she’s been excelling,” Monsanto said. “She’s fast, strong, aggressive and has a knack for goal scoring. She knows how to get in the box, get around the box and score goals.”
Sammons said she feels comfortable at striker now.
“In high school, Coach [Pete] Hald put me at striker just a few times, mainly because I was fast and hungry for the ball,” Sammons said. “Coach Nate saw something in me and challenged me to play there. I think I have a lot more fun doing it, running after the ball and trying to score goals.”
While she’s playing with Shark Coast in New Smyrna Beach, Sammons is also participating in FPC’s summer program of beach workouts, weight training and 7v7 league play.
“Going into her senior year, I’ve seen so much growth,” Bradley said. “She has so much more confidence. I am so proud of her.”
Harrell has been playing left wing for the USL2 Shark Coast team. At Brown he was recruited to play left back, which is where he played for his FKK club team in Oviedo. At Seabreeze, he played midfield. He can play anywhere on the left side of the field, Monsanto said.
“He has a sweet left foot,” Monsanto said. “Luke is one of top young prospects in the area. He has loads of potential to be an impact player as a freshman at Brown. He’s broken out of his shell playing with men. He’s like the little brother. He started in the last two games and played heavy minutes.”
The experience and knowledge I’ve gained the last two months has really bolstered my skill and helped me get acclimated to college soccer, not only on the physical level but the focus you need.
— LUKE HARRELL
After starting late because of obligations that come with high school graduation, he’s come alive toward the end of the season, Monsanto said. Shark Coast, which has a 2-3-6 USL2 record, defeated second-place Nona FC of Orlando, 3-2, on June 27. After the game, Harrell’s teammates celebrated his 18th birthday by drenching him with the Gatorade cooler.
“That was the last game for most of our team, with a of the guys from out of town going back home,” Harrell said. “They made it feel like a family. They made me feel so welcomed. I wasn’t expecting to get drenched in water. I’m glad we got the win against a top-of-the-table team.”
Harrell thanked Monsanto and Shark Coast Chief Community Officer Terry Lippens, both of whom are part of the club’s ownership group, as well as the USL2 team’s coach, Jonathan Lopez, who is also an assistant coach at DSC.
“Nate and Terry offered me to come out and play,” Harrell said. “They’ve done a ton for everyone on the team, and coach Jonathan as well. I’m so glad for the opportunity. They got me to increase my versatility on the field.”
Shark Coast FC rebranded from the South Volusia Soccer Club and Current FC. The USL has been vacant in Volusia County for seven years. Shark Coast has a five-year contract to be the USL’s Volusia County territory, Monsanto said.
“We’re trying to share what Orlando City has,” he said. “We’re looking for a change in U.S. soccer that allows Volusia-Flagler an equal playing field when it comes to soccer markets.”
Young players like Harrell and Sammons are grateful for the opportunity.
“I’d love to continue training with them [after the summer],” Sammons said. “I want to play for the U18, U19 team and keep playing for Coach Nate in the club season. They’re making me better every day, and I’m so grateful for them.”
