ARCATA -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team faced an uphill battle Sunday at Humboldt State and the short-handed Golden Eagles came up frustratingly short.

Playing down a man after a scoreless first half, the Golden Eagles were tripped up by the 'Jacks, 2-1, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at College Creek Field. Cal State LA (10-4-2, 4-4-2 CCAA) is now tied with San Francisco State with 14 points, one behind sixth-place Humboldt State (8-7, 5-6 CCAA) in a tight conference race. The top six teams will qualify for the CCAA Championships.

The Golden Eagles battled valientlly in the final minute in an attempt to tie the game. A shot by Steven Eberle was denied by a Humboldt State defender and Morten Bjoershol had a header attempt go just wide in the waning seconds. A final corner kick by Miguel Galvan Lara was taken with seconds left in the game.

Cal State LA had a 20-16 advantage in shots, including a 10-6 edge in the second half. The Golden Eagles took three corner kicks to four for the 'Jacks and were whistled for offsides six times to three for the 'Jacks.

Humboldt State took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute when Gus Baxter headed in a free kick from Max Steinmetz.

Eberle tied it in the 59th minute when he scored his fourth goal of the season.

Humboldt State, though, regained the lead less than two minutes later on a goal by Isaiah Dairo.

Eberle had a strong match for the Golden Eagles and had a game-high five shots. Lauren Weiland, Rigoberto Maciel, Jose Tovar, Julian Zamora and Jonathan Hinojosa had two shots each for the Golden Eagles.

Steven Barrera made five saves for Cal State LA, while Humboldt State goalkeeper Chris Cherms made 10 saves.

Cal State LA will return to action with a home game on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against Stanislaus State.