LOS ANGELES — For the first time this season, the San Francisco State men's soccer team dropped back-to-back contests with Sunday's 1-0 loss at No. 25 Cal State LA.

The Gators slipped to eighth place with the loss, though they remain just three points out of sixth, while the Golden Eagles took sole possession of sixth place. The top six teams will advance to the CCAA Championships.

"The match was very tight. We made a mistake early and they capitalized," said said San Francisco State Head Coach Javier Ayala-Hil. "We had our chances as well but they defended well throughout the match."

A defensive breakdown in the eighth minute was the difference. Kareem Salem sent a ball through to Julian Zamora, who split a pair of defenders. His shot fired off the left post but bounced off the right post and in.

Jorden Wusstig took the first shot of the match in the second minute but his shot was saved. The Gators (8-3-2/3-3-2 CCAA) surrendered the goal but pressed on. Richard Leon's shot in the 13th minute was saved. Ranier Plantinos' shot in the 19th minute was blocked and another Leon shot a minute later went wide. Nigus Solomon's shot in the 33rd minute was saved and his shot in the 43rd minute was blocked.

The Gators had a couple of chances in the second half. Wusstig's shot in the 62nd minute was saved and Daniel Herrera's header a minute later was also saved. That resulted in a corner kick but Tariq Pulskamp's subsequent shot was blocked. Solomon had another shot in the 78th minute that was saved.

"It will feel good to be playing back at home for the next four matches," said Ayala-Hil. "The matchup against Cal Poly Pomona should be an exciting one."

The Gators return home on Friday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. to face Cal Poly Pomona (9-5-1/5-4-1 CCAA). The first 250 students in attendance at that day's doubleheader will receive a free SF State soccer scarf.