GRAND RAPIDS - Noble Sullivan delivered on a promise and Grand Rapids FC capitalized from it to cap its most exciting half Friday and secure the National Premier League's Great Lakes West title.

Sullivan vowed to coach George Moni before the game that he would score a goal - actually, it was a "promessa" since they spoke in Italian - and did just that as he escaped a tie-up in front of the net and scored the go-ahead goal in the 78th minute in a 3-1 win against AFC Ann Arbor in front of 6,854 at Houseman Field.

"It really happened," Moni said. "He told me he was going to score - though he said he was going to dribble around four people and beat the goalkeeper. But he did do that part. It was a very satisfying moment."

The goal came after Jared Timmer tied it on a header in the 56th minute following a long throw-in by sub Trent Vegter.

The combination of the two goals, and stellar second-half goalkeeping from Noah Fazekas, produced a celebration as the Boys in Blue improved to 6-1-4 with 22 points. They clinched first place by beating second-place AFC Ann Arbor (5-3-3), which has lost two in a row and is still in a battle with Detroit City FC for the final playoff spot.

Gabe Mateo added the third goal in extra time for GRFC.

The playoffs between the Great Lakes West and Great Lakes East conferences begin July 22-23. Detroit City FC will host unless it does not qualify for the playoffs. Then Grand Rapids will host at Houseman Field.

"We put faith in our personnel and rolled up our selves as coaches and players and we've all worked very, very hard to get to this point," Moni said. "Everyone believing. That's how good things can happen."

It wasn't too good to start the second half for GRFC as AFC Ann Arbor's Leigh Rumbold scored quickly off a corner kick.

But Timmer tied it thanks to a terrific throw in by Trent Vegter. Sullivan then entered entered in 61st minute in a planned move to gain some more offensive punch. It worked as he tangled about 20 yards in front of the goal with a defender who fell down.

Sullivan, a former player at Michigan, had a moment of space and delivered a strong kick for the go-ahead goal.

"We work very well off Scott (Doney) and he's really good at holding the ball or flicking it so I knew if he got in that area, I could get in there and maybe surprise (the defense)," Sullivan said.

The title, Sullivan added: "It's massive. To come into the NPSL like we have and win is just a testament to everything."



GRFC had a couple of near-misses in the first half, including when Peter Brown's header off a corner kick hit the post in the 26th minute.

Timmer was also turned away twice, once on a shot that was tipped over the cross bar and another kick along the ground that Fabian Veit smothered.