The landscape of university sports is reaching a new technological milestone. During the recent NCAA Division III Soccer Tournament, held in Virginia from 5–7 December 2025, officiating was bolstered by a powerful duo: VOGO SPORT video replay and VOKKERO ELITE audio communication systems.
This first-time implementation at this level of competition proves that cutting-edge technology is no longer reserved for the global elite; it is becoming an essential tool for ensuring fairness and composure in high-stakes matches.
A Decisive Moment: Confirming the “Golden Goal”
The true test for any officiating technology lies in its ability to provide clarity during moments of extreme tension. The highlight of the tournament occurred during the Men’s Final, which was decided by a “golden goal“.
Thanks to VOGO’s offside detection technology, officials were able to instantly confirm that the play was onside. This precision ensured the match concluded with undisputed fairness.
“The system confirmed that the golden-goal play was onside. That confirmation was crucial in ensuring the match concluded correctly.” — Rachel Woo, NCAA Soccer Regional Advisor and Coordinator of Officials.
Key Benefits of the VOGO & VOKKERO Integration
The alliance between VOGO’s high-definition visual replay and VOKKERO’s crystal-clear audio provides a comprehensive ecosystem for referees:
- Clarity and Confidence: Critical decisions, such as overturning an incorrectly awarded penalty, are now based on irrefutable visual evidence.
- Enhanced Credibility: The use of technology legitimises refereeing decisions in the face of potential challenges from coaching staff.
- Pressure Management: By quickly validating contentious actions, the technology helps maintain calm among players and managers.
- Sporting Integrity: Access to these professional-grade tools ensures that the final result depends solely on the athletes’ performance on the pitch.
Insights from the Field
For Mark Ingvaldsen, Commissioner of the Roanoke Valley Soccer Officials Association, the technological contribution goes beyond the rulebook : it is a tool for human management.
“Being able to confirm those decisions gave the crew confidence and kept the coaches and players calm. It definitely helped keep the matches fair,” he stated.
Towards a Global Standard for Connected Officiating?
The success of this collaboration in Virginia marks a key step for VOGO and VOKKERO within the American market. By empowering referees with the ability to “see better” and “communicate better”, these solutions are establishing themselves as the new standard for the university and professional sports of tomorrow.
