SAN FRANCISCO -- Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team found the going tough in its first road game of the 2013 season.

The Golden Eagles had won their first four games at home, but San Francisco State got the game's only goal off a free kick in the 23rd minute and held on for a 1-0 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory at Cox Stadium. Cal State L.A. (4-1, 2-1 CCAA) had a 26-11 edge in shots, but could not solve San Francisco State's stingy defense.

Cal State L.A. entered the game ranked No. 7 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Golden Eagles hit 11 of their 26 shots on frame, but San Francisco State goalkeeper Colt Reichl corraled all 11 of them. Cal State L.A. goalkeeper Mike Beigarten wasn't tested nearly as often and made one save. The Golden Eagles had an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

San Francisco State scored the only goal of the game off a free kick in the 23rd minute. Sam Merritt took the free kick and Andrew Ogilvy shot it from seven yards out past Beigarten for his first goal of the season.

San Francisco State (2-2-1, 1-1-1 CCAA) wasn't dangerous on the attack after taking its 1-0 lead midway through the first half, but the Gators didn't need to be. San Francisco State was solid in its own zone and made things difficult for the Golden Eagles. Although Cal State L.A. had the big advantage in shots, the Gators were able to limit the Golden Eagles from getting clean looks at the goal from in close. Most of the shots were taken from distance and with San Francisco State pressuring.

Defenseman Daniel Rodriguez had five shots to lead the Golden Eagles, including a long free kick in the second half that skipped in the box and needed an alert save by Reichl. Junior forward Halil Tozar and junior forward Sigifredo Torres had four shots each. Tozar worked his way free late in the game and had a good shot from an angle that Reichl was able to save.

Cal State L.A. lost in a road game for the first time since falling to Chico State on Sept. 7, 2012.

The Golden Eagles will return to action on Sunday with another tough road game at No. 25 Cal State Monterey Bay.