Ninety seconds into the second half, Tyler Lussi got a header onto a corner kick and knocked it across the six-yard box. Lily Nabet, arriving unmarked, guided it over the line. First professional goal. The board read 2-0, and the Carolina Ascent were well on their way to six — a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay Sun FC at Suncoast Credit Union Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Goals

The first came in the 29th minute. An Audrey Coleman cross found a Carolina forward charging into the box; Tampa Bay's Sandrine Gaillard pulled her back. Penalty. Captain Jill Aguilera — Puerto Rico international, 10 caps, 10 national team goals — buried her second of the season into the bottom corner.

Nabet doubled the lead in the 47th minute. Tampa Bay had its best chance to respond in the 55th, when Faith Webber found herself unmarked in front of goal. Her header from six yards sailed over the bar.

Tampa Bay made it interesting in the 89th minute anyway. Madi Parsons collected a long ball, cut inside, and curled a left-footed finish into the bottom left corner. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added. The Ascent held.

Charlotte's Other Soccer Team

Carolina Ascent FC entered the weekend unbeaten in five straight, sitting third in the Gainbridge Super League — women's professional soccer, operated by USL, now in its second season. Sunday's result extends that run to six.

They play at American Legion Memorial Stadium, a Works Progress Administration venue from 1936 in Charlotte's Elizabeth neighborhood, capacity 10,500. The bones are from the Roosevelt administration. A $40 million renovation that broke ground in 2019 kept them intact. If you have not been, the effect is unlike anything else in Charlotte's sports inventory.

Charlotte has six professional sports franchises. Carolina Ascent is probably the least covered of the six. This is not an argument anyone can make from their position in the table.

Next

Carolina return home Saturday to host Lexington SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.