Springstead Boys Soccer Claims 5A District 5 Title with 3-0 Win

Springstead High School secured the 5A District 5 championship with a 3-0 victory over Gainesville at Lecanto High School, delivering the program its second straight district crown. The Eagles’ win capped a season in which Springstead improved to 18-5, while Gainesville fell to 6-8-2.

The match, played Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 according to MaxPreps and reported Jan. 29, was played in frigid conditions that the Red, White, and Blue weathered en route to a shutout. Springstead’s defense and goalkeeper play defined the outcome. With Springstead holding a 3-0 lead and four minutes remaining, goalkeeper Evan Serrano made an impressive diving catch on a rocket by Gainesville’s Jeffery Ortega to preserve the shutout. Hernando Sun described the save as emblematic of how the Eagles have defended all season.

Scoring details in available accounts identify Dylan Spatola as the scorer of the third goal and credit Tyler Siebe, a sophomore, with at least one goal. An original report explicitly states Siebe scored twice, and Hernando Sun photo captions show Siebe sending home the Eagles’ second goal. The identity of the first goal scorer is not specified in the provided excerpts. Photo coverage credited to Joe DiCristofalo captured Siebe, Spatola, goalkeeper Serrano, and Jax Dibenedetto in key moments.

Head Coach Dominic Coco framed the victory as program history. Coco said, "It truly feels amazing making school history. Back-to-back district champions." He added, "Hats off to the guys. They absolutely earned it all season long. They deserved to be district champions." Coco took over Springstead’s boys soccer program five years ago, and the consecutive district titles mark a milestone for the coach and program.

Springstead’s path through the season included district wins earlier in January, including a 1-0 victory over Belleview in a district semifinal. MaxPreps listings show a series of wins for Springstead in January that preceded the district final.

For Hernando County residents, the result means postseason soccer at a local site. Springstead is set to host a regional quarterfinal next week and will learn its opponent on Thursday night. The home playoff date gives local supporters a chance to attend and rally behind a program that has now claimed consecutive district titles. Social media reactions captured the local mood, with one Facebook post from Anna Vasquez calling it, "Such a fabulous night! Fought till the end and so deserved that win!"

As Springstead prepares for the regional quarterfinal, attention will turn to confirming the official box score for goal attribution and the opponent draw on Thursday. Fans looking to follow the Eagles can expect a postseason home match next week.