Highland needed all four quarters to pull away from Saugerties in a highly anticipated Section 9 Class C boys lacrosse championship matchup.

The decisive moment came from Mark Cureton, whose off-balance, behind-the-back shot found the back of the net and gave the Huskies the lead for good as Highland secured a 7-5 victory.

Saugerties struck quickly, needing little more than a minute to score the game’s first goal against Highland goalkeeper Justin Caballero.

The Huskies answered when Logan Davis scored the equalizer before falling to the turf after releasing his shot. Davis’ goal reset the game at 1-1 and sparked Highland’s offense.

The Sawyers regained the lead, but Highland responded again. Luke Wiese capped the Huskies’ first-quarter scoring with a long-range strike, helping Highland stay within striking distance.

Highland later built a two-goal advantage, its largest lead of the game, before Saugerties battled back. The teams entered the fourth quarter tied 5-5 with a sectional title hanging in the balance.

With the Saugerties goalkeeper out of position and the defense scrambling to recover, Cureton capitalized, scoring the go-ahead goal that shifted momentum to the Huskies.

Highland had carried a one-goal lead into halftime, but Saugerties erased the deficit to set up the dramatic finish.

Davis, Wiese and Coates each scored two goals for Highland. Coates added a key insurance goal with four minutes remaining, firing a long-range shot into the bottom corner to extend the lead to 7-5.

The Huskies’ defense held firm the rest of the way, preventing Saugerties from scoring again.

Davis and Wiese each recorded an assist, while Caballero finished with 11 saves.

With the win, Highland improved to 16-1 and advanced to face the Section 1 champion on June 6 at Middletown High School.