WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Howard softball team has been chosen to finish second in the Northern Division in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Poll as selected by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Lady Bison, who finished the 2009 season with a 9-4 league record, received eight first-place vote and 203 points in the Northern Division poll. Delaware State received eight first-place votes and 217 total points to claim the top spot.

Hampton (195 pts), Morgan State (158 pts), Maryland Eastern Shore (131) and Coppin State (130 pts) round out the Northern Division poll.

Defending MEAC champion Florida A&M received 16 first-place votes and a total of 244 points to garner top honors in the Southern Division.

Howard had two of its own named to the Preseason All-MEAC team. Rebecca Kirshner, the 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year and Courtney Young were both named to the preseason squad.

The Lady Bison face off with Winston-Salem State in its season opener on Saturday, Feb. 20.