WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Whitworth scored two first-half goals and added another in the second half, topping Whitman 3-0 on Saturday to capture the 2014 Northwest Conference title along with an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

With the Pirates leading the standings by one point entering the final day of NWC action and three teams in contention for the title, Whitworth (15-1-3, 10-1-3 NWC) left no doubt with a commanding victory. The Pirates captured their fifth NWC championship in the last eight seasons and will return to the NCAA tournament for the second time in the last three seasons.

Whitworth began Saturday with 30 points, one point ahead of Willamette (29) and two points ahead of Puget Sound (28). All three contenders won Saturday, highlighting the importance of a victory by Whitworth to secure the conference championship on the final day of the regular season.  

Eric Espinoza gave Whitworth a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute, scoring his first career Whitworth goal off a rebounded shot. Micheal Ramos was credited with an assist on the play.

The Pirates doubled their lead less than 10 minutes later, when Tyler Clarke volleyed a cross from Ramos into the back of the net in the 32nd minute for his second goal of the season.

"This was the best start that I've thought we've ever had to a game as long as I've been a coach here (at Whitworth)," head coach Morgan Cathey said. "We came out and flying put them under immense pressure everywhere on the field."

The Pirates maintained a 2-0 lead after halftime until Kash Choudhary scored his third goal of the season off a rebounded shot in the 69th minute to make the lead 3-0. Spencer Wolfe assisted the goal.

Whitworth held a 20-9 shot advantage, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. Each team has two corner kick opportunities.

Tony Watters recorded three saves in securing his second shutout victory of the season.

Whitworth earned a season sweep of the Missionaries, following a 6-1 victory at home earlier this season. The Pirates concluded the regular season with six shutout victories, and have not given up a goal over their last three matches.

"For us, it's about fine tuning what we've done well," Cathey said. "We still want to get better, we think we're still not at our best, even today. There were some things we can really grow in and going forward it's tournament time. So the mindset is we have to give everything to every game."