Louisville City FC returned to Slugger Field on Saturday night to defeat the Charlotte Independence 2-1.

George Davis IV gave the boys in the purple the lead in the 57th minute before Caleb Calvert equalized eight minutes later. Brian Ownby gave the hosts all three points with his winner in the 77th minute.

With already small roster, Louisville was more short-handed with three players on international duty. Greg Ranjitsingh was called up by Trinidad & Tobago, Speedy Williams with Jamaica and Mark-Anthony Kaye has been a frequent member of the Canadian national team this season.

Louisville got into trouble early with three purple shirts picking up yellow cards inside the first 30 minutes, and four overall in the first half. The referee was quick to reach into his pocket showing Guy Abend mustard for silly antics on Charlotte’s Alex Martinez. Sean Totsch and Kyle Smith picked up yellows shortly afterward, all conceding great looks to Charlotte on free kicks.

The purples came close to scoring in the 30th minute. Luke Spencer gathered in a pass at the top of the box but failed to see Kyle Smith streaking into the box unmarked. His initial pass was deflected and found Smith, who fired a low shot to the left post, but Charlotte goalkeeper Cody Mizell made a huge save getting down to punch the ball out of danger.

Both sides had their chances to get on the board in the first half. Louisville forced two huge saves from Mizell, but Charlotte had great looks of their own but failed to put any of their five shots on frame.

Davis gave Louisville the lead in the 57th minute on a deflection. After the Independence cleared away Davis’ chance moments before, the University of Kentucky alum scored from a deflection off a Charlotte defender.

Charlotte scored their equalizer, against the run of play, in the 65th minute. The Independence was reeling with Louisville searching for their second. But Enzo Martinez sent his pass forward, catching substitute Caleb Calvert in stride. Calvert’s first touch set up his shot, a rocket going across goal past Louisville goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski for his first USL goal of the season.

Coming on for Davis, Brian Ownby started the counter tracking down a through ball into space, drawing three Charlotte defenders in the 77th minute. He beat them to the outside and sent his cross into the box, but over Luke Spencer. After the ball was floating around the box, Ownby finished with a shot at the penalty area, taking a deflection into the back of the net.

Following the win, Louisville takes the regular season series, 2-1, over Charlotte. Both teams were not playing their best soccer as of late. Despite clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Louisville could only pick up two points out of a possible nine in their last three matches. Charlotte have now lost four consecutive matches.

City concludes the regular season at home against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.