Pittsburgh, Pa. – Robert Morris University women's hockey freshmen Brittany Howard (St. Thomas, Ontario / Burlington Jr. Barracudas) and Jessica Dodds (London, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes) were honored by College Hockey America (CHA) in their October monthly awards, which were released this afternoon.

Howard was named CHA Player of the Month after a blistering start to her collegiate career. The first-year forward leads the CHA in assists (13), points (17), power play points (6), and game-winning goals (2). She also ranks first, tied for first, tied for fourth, and tied for second in those respective categories, nationally.

After collecting her first career goal and assist in a 3-0 victory over RPI on Oct. 5, there hasn't been a game that Howard hasn't registered at least a point in. The freshman carries a nine-game point streak into this weekend's home series with in-state rival Mercyhurst, and has tallied multiple points in six of those contests. In wins over Vermont (1 goal, 2 assists) and at Penn State (3 assists), Howard collected a career-best three points.

Howard's beginning 10 game stretch is the best to open a career since 2011-12, when now-junior forward Rebecca Vint (Caldeon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) was in her first year. Vint compiled 20 points in her first 10 contests – 11 of which being goals – and finished the season with 44 points (22 goals, 22 assists) in total, which is a program record.

Like her first-year teammate, Jessica Dodds has quickly adjusted to the college game, as evidenced by her CHA Rookie of the Month award. The freshman goaltender leads the CHA in wins (6) and goals against average (1.49), is tied for first in shutouts (3), and slots third in save percentage (.932). Nationally, Dodds ranks tied for fourth, eighth, tied for third, and 13^th in those respective categories.

Dodds made her collegiate debut on Oct. 5 against RPI. With the Colonials facing being swept, Dodds held the Engineers to just two third-period goals, and earned her first win of the year in overtime. The first-year netminder then earned starts in Saturday contests at Bemidji State and against No. 7/8 Boston University at 84 Lumber Arena, and shut both offenses down to pick up her first two career shutouts.

RMU returns home to continue CHA play this weekend with No. 9 Mercyhurst. Friday's contest from 84 Lumber Arena is scheduled for a 3:05 faceoff.