CHICO -- Cal State L.A.'s women's soccer team saw its eight-match unbeaten streak come to an end Sunday in Chico, but not without a controversial finish.

A highly-competitive contest between two of the top programs in the California Collegiate Athletic Association ended when Chico State scored an overtime goal to post a 1-0 victory at University Soccer Stadium. Cal State L.A. (8-5-3, 6-5-3 CCAA) lost for the first time since another 1-0 overtime defeat in overtime to Cal State San Bernardino on Sept. 29.

Sunday's ending came in highly unusual fashion. After the ball went out of bounds, Cal State L.A. defender Monique Cherry stood ready to throw it back in after the assistant referee had signaled their possession. Chico State, though, grabbed a different ball and took a throw in and Courtlynn Cerrito found an unmarked Stephanie Vaquerano. That second ball quickly ended up in Cal State L.A.'s net because Vaquerano rifled a shot just off the fingertips of goalkeeper Yi Du for the game-winner.

A stunned Cal State L.A. head coach Isabelle Harvey said she was told by the assistant referee -- who made the original call indicating Cal State L.A. possession - that it should have been the Golden Eagles' ball. The center referee, though, decided it was Chico State's possession although he apparently did not do so in a manner that would let the Golden Eagles know a second ball was about to be put in play and ultimately find its way into their net.

Chico State (7-7-2, 5-7-2 CCAA), a national finalist two years ago, won its third straight game and sent its four seniors off with an overtime win in their home finale.

Cal State L.A. had a 16-7 advantage in shots and a 10-1 edge in corner kicks, but couldn't get a shot past Chico State goalkeeper Brianna Furner, who had four saves to post the win. Du had two saves for the Golden Eagles, including one in overtime.

The Golden Eagles remain in second place in the CCAA South Division, but their lead has been sliced to one point over third-place UC San Diego with two conference matches remaining.

The Golden Eagles came out on the attack and fired off the first seven shots of the game. Heather Williams had the first chance in the third minute, but Furner made the save. The Chico State goalkeeper made another save in the 20th minute on a bid by Amalia Arvidsson. A later bid by Veronika Steen was blocked and Allyson Sherwood's shot was saved by Furner.

Chico State had some opportunities in a tightly-played second half, but Cal State L.A. again put on some pressure late in regulation. Arvidsson and Andrea Lammers had bids in the 86th minute and the Golden Eagles got a corner kick in the final minute, but could not convert.

Du made her second save of the game early in the overtime period, stopping a shot by Emily Sheppy and Norie Pablo had a shot blocked and then sent one high just one minute before the confusing ending.

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday with its final home game of the season against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 7 p.m.