LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team, the two-time defending California Collegiate Athletic Association regular-season champions, opened conference play with a hard-fought victory Friday night in University Stadium.

The Golden Eagles ran their conference unbeaten streak to 26 dating back to 2018 with a 1-0 win over Cal State Monterey Bay in the conference opener for both schools. Cal State LA, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and the defending national champions, got a goal early in the second half from Daniel Garcia and a sterling defensive effort led by All-American goalkeeper Alvaro Unanua made it stand up for the win. Cal State LA (7-0, 1-0 CCAA) posted its fifth shutout of the season and now is unbeaten in its last 25 games.

Cal State Monterey Bay (2-3-2, 0-1 CCAA) was coming off a non-conference tie with No. 7 Cal State Dominguez Hills last Saturday and the Otters were very competitive on Friday. The Otters had a 14-11 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in corner kicks, but they couldn't get on past Unanua, who recorded a season-high seven saves in the win.

The only goal of the game came in the 54th minute and was set up by a deft pass from Marlon Radel to an onrushing Garcia, who blasted a beautiful shot inside the far post for his second goal of the season. Radel picked up his first assist of the season and played another strong defensive game.

Cal State Monterey Bay's best scoring chance came in the 74th minute when a shot by Colin O'Mahony went off the right post. The Otters also had a three-shot flurry in the first that required two big stops from Unanua and another blocked shot. 

The Golden Eagles also had some chances that just missed, most notably a bid by Alex Rodriguez that hit the crossbar in the 64th minute.

Francisco Ponce had a game-high four shots for Cal State Monterey Bay.

Jeppe Paulsen had three shots for Cal State LA, including two on goal.

Cal State LA will return to action on Sunday with a home game against No. 7 Cal State Dominguez Hills at 11:30 a.m.,