LANCASTER, Pa. – The Haverford College softball team was picked eighth in the Centennial Conference's 2012 preseason poll, as announced by the league office on Thursday morning. The poll, comprised of voting from among the coaches in the conference, deemed Ursinus College as the favorite this season as the Bears earned 61 points with five first-place votes. Defending champion Muhlenberg College followed in the second spot with two first-place votes and 48 points overall. Rounding out the top three were Gettsyburg College (one first-place vote) and Washington College which tied with 46 points apiece.

Looking to prove the naysayers wrong, the Fords, 9-25 (4-12 CC) in 2011 will rely heavily on a trio of players who hit .300 or better last season -– Laura Iwanyk (.349), Jen DiCandilo (.336), and Elizabeth Newman (.300). DiCandilo, a second-team All-Centennial selection last year, finished in a tie for fifth in the conference in runs batted in with 28.