LA JOLLA, Calif. - An unlucky own goal credited to the UC San Diego men's soccer team provided the necessary momentum for the visiting Cal State L.A. squad, ranked second nationally, and the Golden Eagles notched two late scores to secure a 3-0 victory Friday. The match marked the start of California Collegiate Athletic Association play.

The Tritons' attack generated early pressure in the first half, helped by the energy of sophomore forward Evan Walker, and the two squads entered halftime with the score knotted at 0-0. Just two minutes into the second period though, a cross from CSULA forward Gonzalo Pulgar was deflected by a sliding Jared Kukura into the empty net. The Golden Eagles held the 1-0 advantage until the 83:56 mark, adding another score. The visitors then tacked on a third in the 88th minute.

Despite CSULA outshooting UCSD 16-9 through the 90 minutes of action, the Tritons (0-2-1, 0-1-0 CCAA) attempted eight corner kicks to just three for the Golden Eagles (2-0-0, 1-0-0 CCAA).

The best chance for either team in the first half came in the 22nd minute when CSULA's Leandro Flores ripped a long shot from atop the left side of the box. The ball deflected off the right post and away from danger.

The own goal at the 47:01 mark not only put the Golden Eagles ahead 1-0 but it also eased the pressure on the CSULA offense. The Tritons began to push up the field and ended up winning five corner kicks in the second half. One of them came in the 55th minute, as freshman Andisheh Bagheri sent a strong cross to the back post. The ball sailed over the head of the opposing keeper but before it could reach a well-positioned Alec Arhst, it was headed away by a Golden Eagles' defender.

Less than a minute later, CSULA's Tony Hernandez fired a blistering shot from atop the box on the opposite end. UCSD netminder Jesse Brennan, who ended the night with a career-high five saves, made a stop on Hernandez's shot with a splendid dive to his left.

Hernandez would eventually strike though, sprinting out for a breakaway in the 84th minute and tapping a header past an approaching Brennan.

The Golden Eagles pushed their lead to 3-0 four minutes later when Osvaldo Lopez sent a corner kick into the center of the box and Julian Ringhof headed it to the back of the net.

The Tritons will return to the pitch on Sunday when they host No. 19 Cal State Dominguez Hills at 2:30 p.m. The Toros secured a 5-0 victory Friday at Cal State East Bay.