LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team started the pursuit of a fourth consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title with a big opening-round win over Cal State Monterey Bay on Sunday.

The No. 4 Golden Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second half and went on to a 3-1 win over the No. 5 seed Otters in a CCAA Tournament first-round game in University Stadium. Cal State LA (11-1-6) was making its first opening-round appearance since 2017 and has now advanced to the conference semifinals in each season since the tournament expanded to the current six-team format in 2014.

Cal State LA, ranked No. 7 in the nation and  No. 1 in the Super Region 4 in last week's polls, have reached the championship match in six straight seasons and won the last three tournament titles.

The Golden Eagles hosted a first-round match for the first time since 2015 and they won that one by a 3-1 score as well against former CCAA member UC San Diego.

Cal State LA, which saw its remarkable 30-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Thursday against Cal State Dominguez Hills, bounced back with authority on Sunday against Cal State Monterey Bay, which, ironically, was the last team to beat the Golden Eagles since Thursday.

The Golden Eagles scored twice in the first half and expanded the lead to 3-0 early in the second half.

Roei Mordechay opened the scoring in the 20th minute thanks to a spectacular pass from Tommaso Belli and a great individual effort from Emil Kischka. After Kischka worked his way through Cal State Monterey Bay defenders, he passed to Belli, who sent the ball to an open Mordechay at the far post. Mordechay calmly slotted the ball in for his first goal of the season.

Hunter Devlin made it 2-0 in the 39th minute when he got off a shot with his back heel to the far post after a centering pass from Felix Alverdale. Jacob Solek started the scoring sequence and also picked up an assist. It was Devlin's first goal of the season.

Belli competed the scoring when he corralled a long pass from Marlon Radel and spun to fire a left-footed dart from inside the box to the near post for his second goal of the season.

Cal State Monterey Bay got its goal in the 78th minute when Hugo Vargas-Rios received pass from Mason Ward inside the box and sent a perfectly-placed shot inside the far post.

Cal State LA's defense took it from there for the team's 11th win of the season.

The Golden Eagles had an 11-10 advantage in shots, while the Otters had a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

 Diego Bravo made three saves in goal for the Golden Eagles, while Belli had a team-high three shots.

Cal State LA advances to meet No. 1 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday at 7 p.m. at Cal State East Bay. Each team has recorded a win over the other, with the Golden Eagles posting a 2-0 decision on Sept. 28 in University Stadium and the Toros posting a 3-0 win on Toro Field on Thursday.