BITTLE, WUNDERLICH TO GO FROM RIVALS TO ROOMATES AT SE

One is a big-time scorer, the other a big-time defender.

One wears Cape Central orange. The other wears Jackson red.

They've exchanged words.

They, in all likelihood, have exchanged elbows to the ribs and kicks to the shins.

But soon, they'll exchange remote controls and bags of pretzels.

After playing against each other for the past three years, soccer stars Lori Bittle of Cape Central and Julie Wunderlich of Jackson will share the same room and wear Southeast Missouri State University colors.

Bittle and Wunderlich -- two of the area's best -- were two of six soccer players who signed letters of intent Wednesday with Southeast's soccer team, which is set to begin is second year as a program.

The two were involved in some epic battles over the last three years.

But fear not, the foes leave their differences on the soccer field. In fact, Bittle said having Wunderlich as a teammate as one of the reasons she wanted to attend Southeast.

"I'm very excited, especially since I knew Julie from my rival school," said Bittle. "We're friends off the field."

The two have seen a lot of each other over the past three years as one usually "marks" the other. And the duo still has a season yet to play.

Said Wunderlich: "Every year we've played, we always mark each other. We hate each other on the field, but we leave it there. We don't hold any grudges."

"I think it is ironic that they'll be on the same team," said Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan. "But it's good for them. They've been enemies on the field but they've grown to appreciate each other and like each other."

The two have played together on some league teams in the past.

"It's really exciting," said Wunderlich. "It will be weird, though, playing against her this season just knowing we will play together next year. You don't want to get mad at each other then have to room together the next year."

Both players were thrilled about playing at Southeast and both specified Otahkian coach Heather Nelson as being a reason to play at the local university.

"I'm just happy because it's Division I and I got to play with coach Nelson in camp this summer," said Wunderlich, adding that she wanted to go to Southeast from the beginning. "And playing for a new program is exciting. I really liked coach Nelson and she seemed really excited about the team."

Bittle said everything just fell into place.

"I really like the coach here," said Bittle. "I have a lot of confidence in coach Nelson. When it came down to where I wanted to go, it was between SEMO and Mizzou because my sisters go there. But everything is working out right here."

"I didn't know if I could get them both to stay locally," said Southeast soccer coach Heather Nelson. "It was exciting that they both had interest and that they both thought this program had a good future. I put a high priority on talent and character and both of these girls have it."

Bittle, a team captain as a junior, led the Lady Tigers to their first Final Four appearance a year ago. She scored 12 goals and had eight assists.

"From the defensive position, that's pretty darn good," said Cape Central coach Tom Doyle. "She usually had the responsibility of marking the other team's best player. She's got good soccer sense and a good leader. She's quick, tenacious and a hard worker. She's willing to whatever we ask of her.

"She's just a real fine young lady. She does well academically and socially as well as athletically. She's just a joy to work with."

The most impressive statistic on Bittle is her team's record the past three years: 65-6-4. Bittle will join two other Cape Central graduates on the team, Nicole Thiele who led the Otahks in goals last season, and Rachel Hessenkemper.

"Lori left a lasting impression on me in the sectional game in St. Louis last year," said Nelson. "I watched her and she owned a player named Debbie Stark. In last year's recruiting class, Stark was one of the top recruits in the state. She did such a good job in that game that Central was able to advance to the final four. Ever since then, I thought she had a lot of potential to play at the Division I level."

Wunderlich, meanwhile, was a scoring machine last year, netting 30 goals for an average of more than one goal a game.

"She's got some of the best foot skills and ball skills in the area," said Knowlan. "She's spent a lot of time doing this and she's turned into a polished player. She's one of the most dedicated kids I've ever coached."

"Her coach spoke very highly of her," Nelson said. "But one thing that I noticed about Julie is that her opposing coaches talked about her. During the Olympic Development Program Camp, I was impressed with her ability to play quickly in one or two touches. She doesn't give up many possessions and when she does, she's feisty and will go after it and get it back."

Other Southeast signees included Valerie Henderson a midfielder from Florissant, Karen Schmitt from Washington, Mo., Erika Todd from Granite City, Ill. and Jen Zimmerman from Wildwood.