LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's soccer team fought through some anxious moments on Thursday, but when the dust had settled, the Golden Eagles found themselves in third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and at home for a first-round CCAA Tournament game on Sunday.

The Golden Eagles started slowly, but found their footing in the second half and edged Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1-0, at University Stadium. Cal State LA (8-1-8, 5-0-6 CCAA), which started the day in a tie for fourth place in a tightly-packed conference table, moved up to third with the victory and qualified for the CCAA Tournament for a 10th straight season.

The Golden Eagles wound up with 21 points and completed the rugged 11-game conference schedule without a loss. Cal State LA stretched its unbeaten streak to 14 with the victory.

Cal State LA, the 2022 CCAA Tournament champions, will begin defense of the title on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. with a first-round match at home against No. 6 seed Chico State at University Stadium. 

Defense was the name of the game on Thursday with Cal State LA allowing very little room for Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-15-2, 0-10-1) to operate. The game did open up a bit in the second half, but the Golden Eagles wound up with a 19-9 edge in shots for the game.

The Golden Eagles had a 13-0 advantage in corner kicks and a beautiful one in the 61st minute was the difference in the game. Skylynn Rodriguez sent a corner kick into the box, where Thaiz Hernandez was able to head it just under the crossbar and off the goalie's fingertips for the lone score of the game.

Taesja Paopao was perfect when she needed to be and made three saves for her 10th shutout of the season.

Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Kylie Yuzon did her best to keep her team in the game and made six saves in the contest.

Shelby Melin had four shots for the Golden Eagles, while Liliana Gonzalez, Alice Hernandez and Rodriguez had three each.

Cal State LA will host Chico State on Sunday in the teams' first meeting in a conference tournament match since the 2014 championship game when the Golden Eagles beat the Wildcats, 3-1..