CJ Ireland was one of the first players on the Mercyhurst Lakers women's ice hockey program that began in 1999. She was team captain from 1999–2003 and played in every one of the Lakers' 129 games. Her team's four-year win loss record was 86-38-5. In her senior season, the Lakers were 25-8-1. This was the Lakers' first season in College Hockey America (CHA). She scored 43 goals and set a record for most goals scored in one season by a Lakers player (since broken). At season’s end, her accomplishments were featured in Sport's Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd section (week of April 13). Ireland graduated as the career leader in goals, assists, and points. In addition,was recognized as the 2003 Mercyhurst College Female Student Athlete of the Year.