QUETZALTENANGO, Guatemala - Two-time defending CONCACAF champion Monterrey took a giant step towards a third consecutive semifinal on Wednesday night, with a 3-1 quarterfinal win over Xelaju at the Estadio Mario Camposeco.

In just the ninth minute, the visitors opened the scoring when Jose Maria Basanta headed a corner kick on goal. Xelaju goalkeeper Patterson could only parry the shot to the feet of Hiram Mier, whose first time shot found the roof of the home net to give Monterrey an early lead.

The deficit brought the home team to life. After a series of half chances, the Super Chivos nearly equalized through Sergio Morales, whose effort from 20-yards out was saved by Monterrey goalkeeper Jontahan Orozco.

Xelaju came up just short again in the 35th minute. This time, an Edgar Chinchilla shot from inside the box nearly found the corner of the net, only to be turned away by a diving Orozco.

It was the visitors who found a second despite the home pressure, however. In the 41st minute, Severo Meza made a clever run into the Xelaju area and served up a ball which an unmarked Aldo De Nigris easily finished for his 11th career Champions League goal.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Xelaju cut into the lead when Julio Estacuy sliced into the area and lobbed a shot over Orozco, off the post and into the net.

Monterrey, though, built the lead back to two in the 76th minute through Mexican Under-20 hero Jesus Corona, who easily finished off a Meza pass from close range for the final advantage.

The two teams now head to Monterrey for the second leg of the two-game quarterfinal series next Tuesday.