Goals either side of half-time from United's number 26 were enough to see Becky Langley's team pick up all three points at the Stadium of Light, despite a late scare following Emilly Scarr's second-half strike.
Lumsden scored an impressive solo goal to hand Newcastle the lead after 28 minutes before a marvellous direct corner floated into Demi Lambourne's net just after the interval.
The home side were looking to get the ball quickly in the opening exchanges, but it was United who fashioned the first opening of the game.
An early corner fired into the near post from Lumsden was met by Rachel Furness' deft flick which bounced marginally wide of the far post.
Sunderland were struggling to deal with Furness' aerial presence and she was picked out by Lumsden once again, but the Northern Ireland international could only power her header over the bar from close range.
The Black Cats looked to utilise a set piece of their own just before the half-hour mark, but after United failed to clear a long free-kick, Katie Kitching could only fire straight at Claudia Moan from inside the area.
United managed to get their deserved opening goal of the match through Lumsden after a driving run in midfield from Furness.
After receiving the ball on the right, United's number 26 went alone and cut inside the box before leaving Lambourne with no chance at her near post and wheeling away in celebration towards the travelling fans.
Newcastle's lead was almost wiped out just six minutes when Eleanor Dale was played through but on her return to the Stadium of Light, former Sunderland keeper Moan smothered the chance.
Shania Hayles looked to have doubled United's lead on the stroke of half-time when she was picked out brilliantly by Isabella Sibley, but some impressive last-ditch defending from Sunderland thwarted the Jamaica international.
Just three minutes into the second-half, Lumsden doubled her tally for the day. A left-footed in-swinging corner evaded everyone before nestling into the far corner without a touch.
Lumsden continued to cause problems for Sunderland's backline and almost tuned provider just before the hour mark. Her through ball picked out Hayles, who was only denied by the sweeping leg of Lambourne.
Following a period of cancelling each other out, Sunderland pulled one back when Scarr reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area to float her effort over Moan with 12 minutes left to play.
Two minutes later United should have restored their two-goal lead. A quick transition released Amber-Keegan Stobbs who picked out Demi Stokes in the middle but saw her shot saved at point-blank range from Lambourne.
Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Liv Watt, Charlotte Potts, Rachel Furness (Hannah Greenwood 45), Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy, Amber-Keegan Stobbs (Lois Joel 86), Jasmine McQuade, Isabella Sibley (Katie Barker 70), Shania Hayles (Sophie Haywood 74), Beth Lumsden
Subs not used: Grace Donnelly, Hannah Hawkins, Amy Andrews, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson
