Buffs Land Defensive Standout Emma Thielbahr for 2026 Season
BOULDER - Colorado just got a whole lot tougher on the back line.
The Buffaloes have added a major piece to their 2026 roster with the transfer of standout defender Emma Thielbahr, the reigning Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Head coach Danny Sanchez made the announcement Thursday, and it's clear the Buffs are getting more than just a steady presence in the back - they’re getting a game-changer.
“Emma is a great addition to the 2026 Buffs,” Sanchez said. “She is a clean passer out of the back, while also being a great presence in the attack.”
That dual-threat ability - defending with composure and pushing forward with purpose - is what makes Thielbahr such a valuable pickup. She brings experience, leadership, and a proven track record of making an impact on both ends of the pitch.
A Proven Performer
Thielbahr comes to Boulder after two standout seasons at the University of Denver, where she anchored the Pioneers’ defense and made her presence felt in the attacking third. She started all 37 matches she played over the past two years, helping DU to 11 shutouts while also chipping in five goals and two assists.
Last season, she led the team with four goals - not something you often see from a center back - and delivered in big moments. Her game-winners against Colorado State and North Dakota State were clutch, and her two-goal performance in a comeback win over CSU was the kind of showing that turns heads. That match marked her first career brace and put a spotlight on her ability to rise to the occasion.
She logged heavy minutes as well, playing the full 90 in all but one game and finishing second on the team with 1,589 minutes. Even in Denver’s 1-0 loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League Semifinals, Thielbahr stood out enough to earn All-Tournament honors.
Recognition and Resilience
Her 2025 season was loaded with accolades. She earned First Team All-Summit League honors and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team - a testament to her consistent impact and leadership on the field.
And this wasn’t a one-season wonder. In her first year at Denver, Thielbahr led the Pioneers in minutes played (1,698), scored her first collegiate goal against Southern Utah, and posted a career-high four shots against North Dakota. She helped DU lock down the No. 2 seed in the 2024 Summit League Tournament and was named to the All-Newcomer Team.
The Road to Boulder
Thielbahr’s college journey began at the University of San Diego, but an injury sidelined her true freshman campaign in 2022. She returned in 2023 as a redshirt freshman and saw action in eight games, making three starts. That experience, combined with her growth at Denver, has shaped her into a seasoned, battle-tested player.
Originally from Sandpoint, Idaho, and a 2022 graduate of IMG Academy in Florida, Thielbahr brings national-level training and a high soccer IQ to Colorado’s back line. At 5-foot-11, she adds size and physicality to a defensive unit that will be looking to fill the void left by departing senior Greer Maguire, who started 19 matches last season.
What She Brings to Colorado
Thielbahr’s arrival is about more than just plugging a hole on the depth chart. She brings leadership, versatility, and a winning mentality.
She’s comfortable with the ball at her feet, confident in one-on-one situations, and not afraid to step into the attack when needed. For a Colorado team looking to take the next step, she’s the kind of player who can elevate the entire back line.
Coach Sanchez and the Buffs will get their first look at Thielbahr in the spring, and if her track record is any indication, she’ll be ready to make an immediate impact.
This is a savvy addition for Colorado - one that could pay dividends come fall.