ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's soccer program is on a roll, winning the last two America East Championships (2023 & 2024) and participating in the NCAA Tournament.

Four of the key players are actually part of two winning programs at UMaine. Lara Kirkby, Abby Kraemer, Kristina Kelly and Myla Schneider are doing biomedical research in the lab of Melissa Maginnis who studies viruses that affect human health.

All four players have their sights set on going to medical school or pursuing advanced degrees.

The lab is becoming a draw for student-athletes who are interested in the sciences, and the work happening in the Maginnis lab has become a key part of the soccer program's recruitment process.