SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – A late first half goal from Yendrick Ruiz was enough to earn Herediano a spot in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF League quarterfinals despite a 2-1 defeat to Santa Tecla on Wednesday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Ruiz, owner of 10 career Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League goals, thumped in a 41st minute header that served as the tie-breaking away goal in a Round of 16 tie that ended 2-2 on aggregate.

Santa Tecla came out strong and Wilma Torres quickly evened the tie 1-1 in the 16th minute when he pounced on a loose ball in the area to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Salvadoran side then took a 2-1 lead on aggregate in the 33rd minute when Ricardinho swung in a ball that had been pinballing around the area to make it 2-0 in the match.

But Herediano’s strong CONCACAF pedigree would win out in the end as Ruiz, who entered the match as a first half substitute, scored to send Herediano to the SCL quarterfinals where it will face CD Universitario of Panama.