Columbus knocks off Quakes with late tally

The San Jose Earthquakes gave up a late second-half goal to lose 2-1 on the road to Columbus Crew SC on Saturday night.

The Quakes, who saw their winless streak stretch to six games, haven’t earned the full three points since a season-opening win.

San Jose (1-3-3) leveled the score late in the first half as Danny Hoesen latched onto a perfect cross from Florian Jungwirth at the edge of the 6-yard box and headed back across the goal for his third goal of the season.

It was a dream debut for Mike Grella, who came off the bench and scored the winner for Crew SC. Grella, who missed the first eight games of the season with a knee injury, snapped a four-match winless streak for Columbus (4-3-2) with his first Crew SC goal in the 84th minute.

College football

ALI’S GRANDSON SHOWS SKILL FOR CAL >> The Cal Bears concluded spring practice with an effort that drew mixed reviews from second-year coach Justin Wilcox. While the defense looked pretty sound, the offense was inconsistent. It managed to score three touchdowns and connect on two field goals, but there were several missteps along the way. The highlights were a 19-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, and a 1-yard smash by 295-pound tight end Malik McMorris.

Rugby

CAL IN TITLE GAME >> Cal advanced to the national championship by beating Lindenwood 43-22 at Saint Mary’s College. Wings Sam Cusano and Justin Dunn contributed two tries each in the win. The Golden Bears (23-2) advance to the May 5 championship at Santa Clara, where Cal will face Life University.

Motor sports

HARVICK TAKES TALLADEGA POLE >> Kevin Harvick will start on the pole Sunday at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway while he goes for his fourth win of the year. Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kurt Busch joins him on the front row.

NASCAR changed the restrictor plates after Friday’s practice laps in which Jamie McMurray’s car flipped a number of times.

FIRST XFINITY WIN FOR GALLAGHER >> Spencer Gallagher took the lead on the overtime lap to capture his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Gallagher went by Tyler Reddick on the final lap after previous leaders Austin Cindric and Justin Allgaier both ran out of gas during late cautions.

FORMER NASCAR DRIVER KILLED IN ACCIDENT >> Former NASCAR driver James Hylton, the 1966 Rookie of the Year, was killed in a traffic accident, authorities in Carnesville, Georgia, said. He was 83. Hylton and his son, 61-year-old James Hylton Jr., died at the scene of the crash. The elder Hylton started 602 races in the Cup Series and won two races in a career that began in 1964.