BRUNSWICK – Losing in the regional championship game two years ago was hard enough, but the Coastal Thunder suffered an even more crushing defeat Tuesday.

The U-16 boys’ soccer team lost its second chance at playing for a national championship with a 0-0 loss in penalty kicks in the U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships at Bowdoin College.

The Coastal Thunder team lost in the final two years ago, 1-0, to Maryland in the U-14 tournament.

“Nobody wants to lose in penalty kicks,” said Brunswick’s Justin Rosner. “You might as well just throw a coin. It’s just who can hit a better shot from 12 yards away, but you’ve got to end it at some point. That’s just how the game is.”

Lower Merion Velez, from Eastern Pennsylvania, beat Coastal Thunder 4-2 in penalty kicks to win the final and advance to the national championships in Arkansas.

“Definitely, the PKs make it a little more emotional and a little more tense,” said goaltender Peter Morrell, of Brunswick.

Velez and Coastal were two evenly matched teams and battled through 85 degree heat for 80 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime. Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation and fought off fatigue and cramping in overtime.

“The only place they’re not champions is on the scoreboard,” said coach Seth Johnson, the assistant men’s soccer coach at Bates College. “In my mind, they’re champions. They played like champions. The result doesn’t always go the way you want it to.”

Velez went ahead on the first shot of penalty kicks on a goal by Daniel Lovitz. Rosner followed to tie it 1-1. Max Tassano put a low shot to the left of Morrell, who dove for it, but the ball slipped underneath him. Brunswick’s Martin Carillo had his shot stopped by a diving save by Aidan Gallagher.

“Usually I try to fake them out,” said Gallagher. “This time, I just tried to read them, and it worked for me. I just went with it. I made the save, and it was an incredible feeling.”

Milton Nicco was next for Velez, but Morrell made a key save of his own to keep Coastal within reach. Gabe Hoffman-Johnson followed and tied it 2-2 with a shot to the left side.

“At that point, one of our kicks had been saved,” said Morrell. “I knew there’d be no chance we’d win unless I got one. That pumped me up and helped me make the save.”

With two shooters each remaining, Velez took the lead again when Sean McIntyre chipped it into the right side. Cape Elizabeth’s Amory Houghton followed but put his shot over the net.

“It’s always a mind game between the keeper and the shooter,” said Gallagher. “It’s unfortunate for him, but it’s a great feeling nonetheless.”

Julien Aoyama sealed the win for Velez when his shot went into the left corner.

“The last two were great kicks,” said Morrell. “There’s nothing you can do. It’s 12 yards away. You don’t have much time to react, maybe half a second.”

Velez had a strong start in regulation and applied pressure. Morrell played strong in net and anchored a solid defensive effort. Coastal adjusted and evened out play in the first half. One loose ball took a favorable bounce and nearly bounced out of the reach of Gallagher for a goal. Later in the half, Nick George was in front for a header, but Gallagher was there to knock it away.

Jordan Wolf had the best chance for Velez in the second half on a Lovtiz corner kick. Hoffman-Johnson had a shot hit the post from a tough angle on the right side.

In overtime, Lovitz tipped the ball past Morrell, but Ben Brewer was there to clear it. Jonathan Dolezal had a header off a corner late in the overtime. Coastal’s best bids came on a shot by Houghton and an indirect by Hoffman-Johnson that bounced off Brewster in front.

“We finished up 26-5-5, I think,” said Johnson. “The kids have had a tremendous year. We were in a tough bracket and the team came through. We can’t be anything but happy. We’d have loved to have won, but we’re not going to hang our heads.”