Defense Setting the Tone

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – For No. 14 Colorado, success this season hasn't just come from scoring timely goals or extended offensive runs. Instead, the Buffaloes have built their early-season identity on something less flashy but just as impactful.

A defensive unit that has quietly been one of the best in the country this season.

Anchored by 2025 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and senior captain Jess Peluso, Colorado's defense has yet to allow a team to reach double-figure scoring, ranking fifth in the NCAA with a 6.80 scoring defense and 17th in the country with 10.60 caused turnovers per game.

According to Peluso, the foundation of that success comes down to one simple concept.

"I think the biggest key to our unit is just trust," she said. "We're all trusting each other. Whether that's on rotations or our communication, it's everything we do. We know the person next to us has our back. We just go in with confidence and trust each other."

That collective mindset has translated into results on the field. Colorado has faced some of the nation's most dangerous offenses early in the season, including matchups with then-No. 2 Northwestern and No. 22 Army. Both of whom boast the top two active goal scorers in the nation, in NU's Madison Taylor (275) and Army's Brigid Duffy (199).

For Peluso, those performances aren't accidental. They're the product of preparation.

Colorado's scout team, she says, plays a major role in ensuring the defense is ready for every opponent it faces.

"During practice, we really do have a great scout that takes their roles to heart," Peluso expressed. "They go 100 % every single day and get us prepared for every game that we have, so we're not going out there blind. I give the scout team 100 % credit because they get us prepared in every single way possible."

While Peluso serves as a captain and one of the most experienced voices on the field, earning three of the four Big 12 Defender of the Week awards this season, she is quick to emphasize that leadership within Colorado's defensive group is shared.

"I'm so grateful that I'm able to take on this role," Peluso added. "But our entire defense, as a whole, is just one unit. We all look at each other in so many different ways as leaders."

That shared responsibility has helped Colorado make noticeable strides from a season ago. The Buffs outscored their opponents by just 0.13 last season, but after just five games in 2026, Colorado leads the Big 12 with a 4.20 scoring margin.

While the defense rarely makes headlines with fancy stats like goals and assists, the Buffaloes take pride in the impact they have on game outcomes. For Peluso and her teammates, defense isn't just about stopping opponents — it's about supporting the entire team.

"Just knowing that the offense has our back and we have theirs," Peluso commented. "If they're only going to score seven goals, we know we can only let in six. We take that to heart."

This season, the CU defense has adopted a short-memory approach that keeps the group focused on the next play.

"I think we're all on the same page defensively," Peluso noted. "If we make a mistake, it's all of our fault. It isn't just on one person. We bounce back from it and don't look back. If we get scored on, we think about how we're going to move forward and not let it happen again."

The result is an aggressive defense. Colorado has forced 53 opponent turnovers this season, led by Peluso's 10. The veteran defender now has 81 career caused turnovers, ranking third in program history and closing in on Sarah Brown's program record (96).

"We take pride in that on defense," Peluso said. "We're going to be aggressive, we're going to be disciplined, and we're going to stick to our game."

Colorado (4-1) will play its third straight ranked opponent on the road this Sunday, taking on No. 8 Michigan (4-2). The Buffs are 2-1 this season against ranked foes, with aforementioned wins over Northwestern and Army.

First draw is set for 11 a.m. MT on B1G+.

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix

For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

Jess Peluso

Colorado University Athletics