Carolina Ascent FC edged Tampa Bay Sun FC 1–0 on Friday night, with Tyler Lussi's second-half strike proving the difference in a testy USL Super League affair.

The first half produced no goals but plenty of needle. Tampa Bay's Vivianne Bessette was the first into the referee's notebook in the 22nd minute, and Carolina's Mia Corbin followed with a yellow of her own shortly before halftime in the 39th. Neither side could find a breakthrough before the break, and the teams headed in level.

It took eight minutes of the second half to separate them. Corbin, despite carrying a booking, delivered the key moment — setting up Lussi, who converted in the 53rd minute to put Carolina ahead. It was a pivotal contribution from a player who had to tread carefully for the remainder of the match.

Tampa Bay pushed for an equalizer, but the game grew increasingly fractious as the clock wound down. The 68th minute saw two yellow cards in quick succession, one for Carolina's Shea Groom and another for Tampa Bay's Jordyn Listro. Sydney Studer picked up a third Carolina booking in the 75th minute, meaning the home side had to navigate the final stretch with three cautioned players on the pitch.

Carolina held firm regardless. Tampa Bay could not find a way through, and the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought three points for the hosts.

The victory gives Carolina Ascent FC valuable momentum in the Super League standings as the season pushes deeper into the spring stretch.